Quinazolines useful as modulators of ion channels

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to compounds useful as inhibitors of voltage-gated sodium channels and calcium channels. The invention also provides pharmaceutically acceptable compositions comprising the compounds of the invention and methods of using the compositions in the treatment of various disorders.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/216,899, filed Aug. 31, 2005, which claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/607,245 filed Sep. 2, 2004, the entire contents of each application being incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to compounds useful as inhibitors of ion channels. The invention also provides pharmaceutically acceptable compositions comprising the compounds of the invention and methods of using the compositions in the treatment of various disorders.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Na channels are central to the generation of action potentials in all excitable cells such as neurons and myocytes. They play key roles in excitable tissue including brain, smooth muscles of the gastrointestinal tract, skeletal muscle, the peripheral nervous system, spinal cord and airway. As such they play key roles in a variety of disease states such as epilepsy (See, Moulard, B. and D. Bertrand (2002) “Epilepsy and sodium channel blockers” Expert Opin. Ther. Patents 12(1): 85-91)), pain (See, Waxman, S. G., S. Dib-Hajj, et al. (1999) “Sodium channels and pain” Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 96(14): 7635-9 and Waxman, S. G., T. R. Cummins, et al. (2000) “Voltage-gated sodium channels and the molecular pathogenesis of pain: a review” J Rehabil Res Dev 37(5): 517-28), myotonia (See, Meola, G. and V. Sansone (2000) “Therapy in myotonic disorders and in muscle channelopathies” Neurol Sci 21(5): S953-61 and Mankodi, A. and C. A. Thornton (2002) “Myotonic syndromes” Curr Opin Neurol 15(5): 545-52), ataxia (See, Meisler, M. H., J. A. Kearney, et al. (2002) “Mutations of voltage-gated sodium channels in movement disorders and epilepsy” Novartis Found Symp 241: 72-81), multiple sclerosis (See, Black, J. A., S. Dib-Hajj, et al. (2000) “Sensory neuron-specific sodium channel SNS is abnormally expressed in the brains of mice with experimental allergic encephalomyelitis and humans with multiple sclerosis” Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 97(21): 11598-602, and Renganathan, M., M. Gelderblom, et al. (2003) “Expression of Na(v)1.8 sodium channels perturbs the firing patterns of cerebellar purkinje cells” Brain Res 959(2): 235-42), irritable bowel (See, Su, X., R. E. Wachtel, et al. (1999) “Capsaicin sensitivity and voltage-gated sodium currents in colon sensory neurons from rat dorsal root ganglia” Am J Physiol 277(6 Pt 1): G1180-8, and Laird, J. M., V. Souslova, et al. (2002) “Deficits in visceral pain and referred hyperalgesia in Nav1.8 (SNS/PN3)-null mice” J Neurosci 22(19): 8352-6), urinary incontinence and visceral pain (See, Yoshimura, N., S. Seki, et al. (2001) “The involvement of the tetrodotoxin-resistant sodium channel Na(v)1.8 (PN3/SNS) in a rat model of visceral pain” J Neurosci 21(21): 8690-6), as well as an array of psychiatry dysfunctions such as anxiety and depression (See, Hurley, S. C. (2002) “Lamotrigine update and its use in mood disorders” Ann Pharmacother 36(5): 860-73).

Voltage gated Na channels comprise a gene family consisting of 9 different subtypes (NaV1.1-NaV1.9). As shown in Table 1, these subtypes show tissue specific localization and functional differences (See, Goldin, A. L. (2001) “Resurgence of sodium channel research” Annu Rev Physiol 63: 871-94). Three members of the gene family (NaV1.8, 1.9, 1.5) are resistant to block by the well-known Na channel blocker TTX, demonstrating subtype specificity within this gene family. Mutational analysis has identified glutamate 387 as a critical residue for TTX binding (See, Noda, M., H. Suzuki, et al. (1989) “A single point mutation confers tetrodotoxin and saxitoxin insensitivity on the sodium channel II” FEBS Lett 259(1): 213-6).

TABLE 1 (Abbreviations: CNS = central nervous system, PNS = peripheral nervous sytem, DRG = dorsal root ganglion, TG = Trigeminal ganglion): Na isoform Tissue TTX IC50 Indications NaV1.1 CNS, PNS soma 10 nM Pain, Epilepsy, of neurons neurodegeneration NaV1.2 CNS, high in 10 nM Neurodegeneration axons Epilepsy NaV1.3 CNS, embryonic, 15 nM Pain injured nerves NaV1.4 Skeletal 25 nM Myotonia muscle NaV1.5 Heart 2 μM Arrythmia, long QT NaV1.6 CNS widespread, 6 nM Pain, movement most abuntant disorders NaV1.7 PNS, DRG, terminals 25 nM Pain, Neuroendocrine neuroendocrine disorders NaV1.8 PNS, small neurons >50 μM Pain in DRG & TG NaV1.9 PNS, small neurons 1 μM Pain in DRG & TG

In general, voltage-gated sodium channels (NaVs) are responsible for initiating the rapid upstroke of action potentials in excitable tissue in nervous system, which transmit the electrical signals that compose and encode normal and aberrant pain sensations. Antagonists of NaV channels can attenuate these pain signals and are useful for treating a variety of pain conditions, including but not limited to acute, chronic, inflammatory, and neuropathic pain. Known NaV antagonists, such as TTX, lidocaine (See, Mao, J. and L. L. Chen (2000) “Systemic lidocaine for neuropathic pain relief” Pain 87(1): 7-17.) bupivacaine, phenyloin (See, Jensen, T. S. (2002) “Anticonvulsants in neuropathic pain: rationale and clinical evidence” Eur J Pain 6 (Suppl A): 61-8), lamotrigine (See, Rozen, T. D. (2001) “Antiepileptic drugs in the management of cluster headache and trigeminal neuralgia” Headache 41 Suppl 1: S25-32 and Jensen, T. S. (2002) “Anticonvulsants in neuropathic pain: rationale and clinical evidence” Eur J Pain 6 (Suppl A): 61-8.), and carbamazepine (See, Backonja, M. M. (2002) “Use of anticonvulsants for treatment of neuropathic pain” Neurology 59(5 Suppl 2): S14-7), have been shown to be useful attenuating pain in humans and animal models.

Hyperalgesia (extreme sensitivity to something painful) that develops in the presence of tissue injury or inflammation reflects, at least in part, an increase in the excitability of high-threshold primary afferent neurons innervating the site of injury. Voltage sensitive sodium channels activation is critical for the generation and propagation of neuronal action potentials. There is a growing body of evidence indicating that modulation of NaV currents is an endogenous mechanism used to control neuronal excitability (See, Goldin, A. L. (2001) “Resurgence of sodium channel research” Annu Rev Physiol 63: 871-94.). Several kinetically and pharmacologically distinct voltage-gated sodium channels are found in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. The TTX-resistant current is insensitive to micromolar concentrations of tetrodotoxin, and displays slow activation and inactivation kinetics and a more depolarized activation threshold when compared to other voltage-gated sodium channels. TTX-resistant sodium currents are primarily restricted to a subpopulation of sensory neurons likely to be involved in nociception. Specifically, TTX-resistant sodium currents are expressed almost exclusively in neurons that have a small cell-body diameter; and give rise to small-diameter slow-conducting axons and that are, responsive to capsaicin. A large body of experimental evidence demonstrates that TTX-resistant sodium channels are expressed on C-fibers and are important in the transmission of nociceptive information to the spinal cord.

Intrathecal administration of antisense oligo-deoxynucleotides targeting a unique region of the TTX-resistant sodium channel (NaV1.8) resulted in a significant reduction in PGE₂-induced hyperalgesia (See, Khasar, S. G., M. S. Gold, et al. (1998) “A tetrodotoxin-resistant sodium current mediates inflammatory pain in the rat” Neurosci Lett 256(1): 17-20). More recently, a knockout mouse line was generated by Wood and colleagues, which lacks functional NaV1.8. The mutation has an analgesic effect in tests assessing the animal's response to the inflammatory agent carrageenan (See, Akopian, A. N., V. Souslova, et al. (1999) “The tetrodotoxin-resistant sodium channel SNS has a specialized function in pain pathways” Nat Neurosci 2(6): 541-8.). In addition, deficit in both mechano- and thermoreception were observed in these animals. The analgesia shown by the Nav1.8 knockout mutants is consistent with observations about the role of TTX-resistant currents in nociception.

Immunohistochemical, in-situ hybridization and in-vitro electrophysiology experiments have all shown that the sodium channel NaV1.8 is selectively localized to the small sensory neurons of the dorsal root ganglion and trigeminal ganglion (See, Akopian, A. N., L. Sivilotti, et al. (1996) “A tetrodotoxin-resistant voltage-gated sodium channel expressed by sensory neurons” Nature 379(6562): 257-62.). The primary role of these neurons is the detection and transmission of nociceptive stimuli. Antisense and immunohistochemical evidence also supports a role for NaV1.8 in neuropathic pain (See, Lai, J., M. S. Gold, et al. (2002) “Inhibition of neuropathic pain by decreased expression of the tetrodotoxin-resistant sodium channel, NaV1.8” Pain 95(1-2): 143-52, and Lai, J., J. C. Hunter, et al. (2000) “Blockade of neuropathic pain by antisense targeting of tetrodotoxin-resistant sodium channels in sensory neurons” Methods Enzymol 314: 201-13.). NaV1.8 protein is upregulated along uninjured C-fibers adjacent to the nerve injury. Antisense treatment prevents the redistribution of NaV1.8 along the nerve and reverses neuropathic pain. Taken together the gene-knockout and antisense data support a role for NaV1.8 in the detection and transmission of inflammatory and neuropathic pain.

In neuropathic pain states there is a remodeling of Na channel distribution and subtype. In the injured nerve, expression of NaV1.8 and NaV1.9 are greatly reduced whereas expression of the TTX sensitive subunit NaV1.3 is 5-10 fold upregulated (See, Dib-Hajj, S. D., J. Fjell, et al. (1999) “Plasticity of sodium channel expression in DRG neurons in the chronic constriction injury model of neuropathic pain.” Pain 83(3): 591-600.) The timecourse of the increase in NaV1.3 parallels the appearance of allodynia in animal models subsequent to nerve injury. The biophysics of the NaV1.3 channel is distinctive in that it shows very fast repriming after inactivation following an action potential. This allows for sustained rates of high firing as is often seen in the injured nerve (See, Cummins, T. R., F. Aglieco, et al. (2001) “Nav1.3 sodium channels: rapid repriming and slow closed-state inactivation display quantitative differences after expression in a mammalian cell line and in spinal sensory neurons” J Neurosci 21(16): 5952-61.). NaV1.3 is expressed in the central and peripheral systems of man. NaV1.9 is similar to NaV1.8 as it is selectively localized to small sensory neurons of the dorsal root ganglion and trigeminal ganglion (See, Fang, X., L. Djouhri, et al. (2002). “The presence and role of the tetrodotoxin-resistant sodium channel Na(v)1.9 (NaN) in nociceptive primary afferent neurons.” J Neurosci 22(17): 7425-33.). It has a slow rate of inactivation and left-shifted voltage dependence for activation (See, Dib-Hajj, S., J. A. Black, et al. (2002) “NaN/Nav1.9: a sodium channel with unique properties” Trends Neurosci 25(5): 253-9.). These two biophysical properties allow NaV1.9 to play a role in establishing the resting membrane potential of nociceptive neurons. The resting membrane potential of NaV1.9 expressing cells is in the −55 to −50 mV range compared to −65 mV for most other peripheral and central neurons. This persistent depolarization is in large part due to the sustained low-level activation of NaV1.9 channels. This depolarization allows the neurons to more easily reach the threshold for firing action potentials in response to nociceptive stimuli. Compounds that block the NaV1.9 channel may play an important role in establishing the set point for detection of painful stimuli. In chronic pain states, nerve and nerve ending can become swollen and hypersensitive exhibiting high frequency action potential firing with mild or even no stimulation. These pathologic nerve swellings are termed neuromas and the primary Na channels expressed in them are NaV1.8 and NaV1.7 (See, Kretschmer, T., L. T. Happel, et al. (2002) “Accumulation of PN1 and PN3 sodium channels in painful human neuroma-evidence from immunocytochemistry” Acta Neurochir (Wien) 144(8): 803-10; discussion 810.). NaV1.6 and NaV1.7 are also expressed in dorsal root ganglion neurons and contribute to the small TTX sensitive component seen in these cells. NaV1.7 in particular my therefore be a potential pain target in addition to it's role in neuroendocrine excitability (See, Klugbauer, N., L. Lacinova, et al. (1995) “Structure and functional expression of a new member of the tetrodotoxin-sensitive voltage-activated sodium channel family from human neuroendocrine cells” Embo J 14(6): 1084-90).

NaV1.1 (See, Sugawara, T., E. Mazaki-Miyazaki, et al. (2001) “Nav1.1 mutations cause febrile seizures associated with afebrile partial seizures.” Neurology 57(4): 703-5.) and NaV1.2 (See, Sugawara, T., Y. Tsurubuchi, et al. (2001) “A missense mutation of the Na+ channel alpha II subunit gene Na(v)1.2 in a patient with febrile and afebrile seizures causes channel dysfunction” Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 98(11): 6384-9) have been linked to epilepsy conditions including febrile seizures. There are over 9 genetic mutations in NaV1.1 associated with febrile seizures (See, Meisler, M. H., J. A. Kearney, et al. (2002) “Mutations of voltage-gated sodium channels in movement disorders and epilepsy” Novartis Found Symp 241: 72-81)

Antagonists for NaV1.5 have been developed and used to treat cardiac arrhythmias. A gene defect in NaV1.5 that produces a larger noninactivating component to the current has been linked to long QT in man and the orally available local anesthetic mexilitine has been used to treat this condition (See, Wang, D. W., K. Yazawa, et al. (1997) “Pharmacological targeting of long QT mutant sodium channels.” J Clin Invest 99(7): 1714-20).

Several Na channel blockers are currently used or being tested in the clinic to treat epilepsy (See, Moulard, B. and D. Bertrand (2002) “Epilepsy and sodium channel blockers” Expert Opin. Ther. Patents 12(1): 85-91.); acute (See, Wiffen, P., S. Collins, et al. (2000) “Anticonvulsant drugs for acute and chronic pain” Cochrane Database Syst Rev 3), chronic (See, Wiffen, P., S. Collins, et al. (2000) “Anticonvulsant drugs for acute and chronic pain” Cochrane Database Syst Rev 3, and Guay, D. R. (2001) “Adjunctive agents in the management of chronic pain” Pharmacotherapy 21(9): 1070-81), inflammatory (See, Gold, M. S. (1999) “Tetrodotoxin-resistant Na+ currents and inflammatory hyperalgesia.” Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 96(14): 7645-9), and neuropathic pain (See, Strichartz, G. R., Z. Zhou, et al. (2002) “Therapeutic concentrations of local anaesthetics unveil the potential role of sodium channels in neuropathic pain” Novartis Found Symp 241: 189-201, and Sandner-Kiesling, A., G. Rumpold Seitlinger, et al. (2002) “Lamotrigine monotherapy for control of neuralgia after nerve section” Acta Anaesthesiol Scand 46(10): 1261-4); cardiac arrhythmias (See, An, R. H., R. Bangalore, et al. (1996) “Lidocaine block of LQT-3 mutant human Na+ channels” Circ Res 79(1): 103-8, and Wang, D. W., K. Yazawa, et al. (1997) “Pharmacological targeting of long QT mutant sodium channels” J Clin Invest 99(7): 1714-20); neuroprotection (See, Taylor, C. P. and L. S. Narasimhan (1997) “Sodium channels and therapy of central nervous system diseases” Adv Pharmacol 39: 47-98) and as anesthetics (See, Strichartz, G. R., Z. Zhou, et al. (2002) “Therapeutic concentrations of local anaesthetics unveil the potential role of sodium channels in neuropathic pain.” Novartis Found Symp 241: 189-201)

Calcium channels are membrane-spanning, multi-subunit proteins that allow Ca entry from the external milieu and concurrent depolarization of the cell's membrane potential. Traditionally calcium channels have been classified based on their functional characteristics such as low voltage or high voltage activated and their kinetics (L, T, N, P, Q). The ability to clone and express the calcium channel subunits has lead to an increased understanding of the channel composition that produces these functional responses. There are three primary subunit types that make up calcium channels—α1, α2δ, and β. The α1 is the subunit containing the channel pore and voltage sensor, α2 is primarily extracellular and is disulfide linked to the transmembrane δ subunit, β is nonglycosylated subunit found bound to the cytoplasmic region of the α1 subunit of the Ca channel. Currently the various calcium channel subtypes are believed to made up of the following specific subunits:

L-type, comprising subunits α_(1C)α_(1D)α_(1F), or α_(1S), α2δ and β_(3a)

N-Type, comprising subunits α_(1B), α2δ, β_(1b)

P-Type, comprising subunits α_(1A), α2δ, β_(4a)

Q-Type, comprising subunits α_(1A) (splice variant) α2δ, β_(4a)

R-Type, comprising subunits α_(1E), α2δ, β_(1b)

T-Type, comprising subunits α_(1G), α_(1H), or α_(1I)

Calcium channels play a central role in neurotransmitter release. Ca influx into the presynaptic terminal of a nerve process binds to and produces a cascade of protein-protein interactions (syntaxin 1A, SNAP-25 and synaptotagmin) that ultimately ends with the fusion of a synaptic vesical and release of the neurotransmitter packet. Blockade of the presynaptic calcium channels reduces the influx of Ca and produces a cubic X³ decrease in neurotransmitter release.

The N type Ca channel (CaV2.2) is highly expressed at the presynaptic nerve terminals of the dorsal root ganglion as it forms a synapse with the dorsal horn neurons in lamina I and II. These neurons in turn have large numbers of N type Ca channels at their presynaptic terminals as they synapse onto second and third order neurons. This pathway is very important in relaying pain information to the brain.

Pain can be roughly divided into three different types: acute, inflammatory, and neuropathic. Acute pain serves an important protective function in keeping the organism safe from stimuli that may produce tissue damage. Severe thermal, mechanical, or chemical inputs have the potential to cause severe damage to the organism if unheeded. Acute pain serves to quickly remove the individual from the damaging environment. Acute pain by its very nature generally is short lasting and intense. Inflammatory pain on the other had may last for much longer periods of time and it's intensity is more graded. Inflammation may occur for many reasons including tissue damage, autoimmune response, and pathogen invasion. Inflammatory pain is mediated by an “inflammatory soup” that consists of substance P, histamines, acid, prostaglandin, bradykinin, CGRP, cytokines, ATP, and neurotransmitter release. The third class of pain is neuropathic and involves nerve damage that results in reorganization of neuronal proteins and circuits yielding a pathologic “sensitized” state that can produce chronic pain lasting for years. This type of pain provides no adaptive benefit and is particularly difficult to treat with existing therapies.

Pain, particularly neuropathic and intractable pain is a large unmet medical need. Millions of individuals suffer from severe pain that is not well controlled by current therapeutics. The current drugs used to treat pain include NSAIDS, COX2 inhibitors, opioids, tricyclic antidepressants, and anticonvulsants. Neuropathic pain has been particularly difficult to treat as it does not respond well to opiods until high doses are reached. Gabapentin is currently the favored therapeutic for the treatment of neuropathic pain although it works in only 60% of patients where it shows modest efficacy. The drug is however very safe and side effects are generally tolerable although sedation is an issue at higher doses.

The N type Ca channel has been validated in man by intrathecal infusion of the toxin Ziconotide for the treatment of intractable pain, cancer pain, opioid resistant pain, and neuropathic and severe pain. The toxin has an 85% success rate for the treatment of pain in humans with a greater potency than morphine. An orally available N type Ca channel antagonist would garner a much larger share of the pain market. Ziconotide causes mast cell degranulation and produces dose-dependent central side effects. These include dizziness, nystagmus, agitation, and dysmetria. There is also orthostatic hypotension in some patients at high doses. The primary risk for this target involves the CNS side effects seen with Ziconotide at high dosing. These include dizziness, nystagmus, agitation, and dysmetria. There is also orthostatic hypotension in some patients at high doses. It is believed that this may be due to Ziconotide induced mast cell degranulation and/or its effects on the sympathetic ganglion that like the dorsal root ganglion also expresses the N type Ca channel. Use-dependent compounds that block preferentially in the higher frequency range>10 Hz should be helpful in minimizing these potential side-effect issues. The firing rate in man of the sympathetic efferents is in the 0.3 Hz range. CNS neurons can fire at high frequencies but generally only do so in short bursts of action potentials. Even with the selectivity imparted by use-dependence intrinsic selectivity against the L type calcium channel is still necessary as it is involved in cardiac and vascular smooth muscle contraction.

Unfortunately, as described above, the efficacy of currently used sodium channel blockers and calcium channel blockers for the disease states described above has been to a large extent limited by a number of side effects. These side effects include various CNS disturbances such as blurred vision, dizziness, nausea, and sedation as well more potentially life threatening cardiac arrhythmias and cardiac failure. Accordingly, there remains a need to develop additional Na channel and Ca channel antagonists, preferably those with higher potency and fewer side effects.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It has now been found that compounds of this invention, and pharmaceutically acceptable compositions thereof, are useful as inhibitors of voltage-gated sodium channels and calcium channels. These compounds have the general formula I:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable derivative thereof, wherein R¹, X, R³, x, and ring A are as defined below.

These compounds and pharmaceutically acceptable compositions are useful for treating or lessening the severity of a variety of diseases, disorders, or conditions, including, but not limited to, acute, chronic, neuropathic, or inflammatory pain, arthritis, migraine, cluster headaches, trigeminal neuralgia, herpetic neuralgia, general neuralgias, epilepsy or epilepsy conditions, neurodegenerative disorders, psychiatric disorders such as anxiety and depression, myotonia, arrhythmia, movement disorders, neuroendocrine disorders, ataxia, multiple sclerosis, irritable bowel syndrome, incontinence, visceral pain, osteoarthritis pain, postherpetic neuralgia, diabetic neuropathy, radicular pain, sciatica, back pain, head or neck pain, severe or intractable pain, nociceptive pain, breakthrough pain, postsurgical pain, or cancer pain.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION I. General Description of Compounds of the Invention

The present invention relates to compounds of formula I useful as inhibitors of voltage-gated sodium channels and calcium channels:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein:

X is O or NR²;

wherein R¹ and R² are each independently an optionally substituted group selected from hydrogen, C₁₋₆ aliphatic, or Cy¹, wherein Cy¹ is a 5-7-membered monocyclic aryl ring or an 8-10-membered bicyclic aryl ring having 0-3 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, or is a 3-12-membered saturated, or partially unsaturated monocyclic or bicyclic ring having 0-3 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, wherein Cy¹ is bonded directly to the nitrogen atom or is bonded through an optionally substituted C₁₋₄aliphatic group, wherein one or more methylene units in the C₁₋₄aliphatic group are optionally replaced with —NR—, —O—, —COO, —OCO—, —NRCO—, —CONR—, —SO₂NR—, or —NRSO₂—; or R¹ and R², taken together with the nitrogen atom to which they are bound, form an optionally substituted 3-12-membered monocyclic or bicyclic saturated, partially unsaturated, or fully unsaturated ring having 0-3 additional heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, sulfur, or oxygen; wherein R¹ and R², or the ring formed by R¹ and R² taken together, are each optionally and independently substituted at one or more substitutable carbon, nitrogen, or sulfur atoms with z independent occurrences of —R⁴, wherein z is 0-5;

y is 0-5;

x is 0-4;

each occurrence of R³, R⁴, and R⁵ is independently Q-R^(X); wherein Q is a bond or is a C₁-C₆ alkylidene chain wherein up to two non-adjacent methylene units of Q are optionally and independently replaced by —NR—, —S—, —O—, —CS—, —CO₂—, —OCO—, —CO—, —COCO—, —CONR—, —NRCO—, —NRCO₂—, —SO₂NR—, —NRSO₂—, —CONRNR—, —NRCONR—, —OCONR—, —NRNR—, —NRSO₂NR—, —SO—, —SO₂—, —PO—, —PO₂—, —OP(O)(OR)—, or —POR—; and each occurrence of R^(X) is independently selected from —R′, ═O, ═NR′, halogen, —NO₂, —CN, —OR′, —SR′, —N(R′)₂, —NR′COR′, —NR′CON(R′)₂, —NR′CO₂R′, —COR′, —CO₂R′, —OCOR′, —CON(R′)₂, —OCON(R′)₂, —SOR′, —SO₂R′, —SO₂N(R′)₂, —NR′SO₂R′, —NR′SO₂N(R′)₂, —COCOR′, —COCH₂COR′, —OP(O)(OR′)₂, —P(O)(OR′)₂, —OP(O)₂OR′, —P(O)₂OR′, —PO(R′)₂, or —OPO(R′)₂; and

each occurrence of R is independently hydrogen or an optionally substituted C₁₋₆ aliphatic group; and each occurrence of R′ is independently hydrogen or an optionally substituted C₁₋₆ aliphatic group, a 3-8-membered saturated, partially unsaturated, or fully unsaturated monocyclic ring having 0-3 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, or an 8-12 membered saturated, partially unsaturated, or fully unsaturated bicyclic ring system having 0-5 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur; or R and R′, two occurrences of R, or two occurrences of R′, are taken together with the atom(s) to which they are bound to form an optionally substituted 3-12 membered saturated, partially unsaturated, or fully unsaturated monocyclic or bicyclic ring having 0-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur.

2. Compounds and Definitions:

Compounds of this invention include those described generally above, and are further illustrated by the classes, subclasses, and species disclosed herein. As used herein, the following definitions shall apply unless otherwise indicated. For purposes of this invention, the chemical elements are identified in accordance with the Periodic Table of the Elements, CAS version, Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 75^(th) Ed. Additionally, general principles of organic chemistry are described in “Organic Chemistry”, Thomas Sorrell, University Science Books, Sausalito: 1999, and “March's Advanced Organic Chemistry”, 5^(th) Ed., Ed.: Smith, M. B. and March, J., John Wiley & Sons, New York: 2001, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

As described herein, compounds of the invention may optionally be substituted with one or more substituents, such as are illustrated generally above, or as exemplified by particular classes, subclasses, and species of the invention. It will be appreciated that the phrase “optionally substituted” is used interchangeably with the phrase “substituted or unsubstituted.” In general, the term “substituted”, whether preceded by the term “optionally” or not, refers to the replacement of hydrogen radicals in a given structure with the radical of a specified substituent. Unless otherwise indicated, an optionally substituted group may have a substituent at each substitutable position of the group, and when more than one position in any given structure may be substituted with more than one substituent selected from a specified group, the substituent may be either the same or different at every position. Combinations of substituents envisioned by this invention are preferably those that result in the formation of stable or chemically feasible compounds. The term “stable”, as used herein, refers to compounds that are not substantially altered when subjected to conditions to allow for their production, detection, and preferably their recovery, purification, and use for one or more of the purposes disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a stable compound or chemically feasible compound is one that is not substantially altered when kept at a temperature of 40° C. or less, in the absence of moisture or other chemically reactive conditions, for at least a week.

The term “aliphatic” or “aliphatic group”, as used herein, means a straight-chain (i.e., unbranched) or branched, substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbon chain that is completely saturated or that contains one or more units of unsaturation, or a monocyclic hydrocarbon or bicyclic hydrocarbon that is completely saturated or that contains one or more units of unsaturation, but which is not aromatic (also referred to herein as “carbocycle” “cycloaliphatic” or “cycloalkyl”), that has a single point of attachment to the rest of the molecule. Unless otherwise specified, aliphatic groups contain 1-20 aliphatic carbon atoms. In some embodiments, aliphatic groups contain 1-10 aliphatic carbon atoms. In other embodiments, aliphatic groups contain 1-8 aliphatic carbon atoms. In still other embodiments, aliphatic groups contain 1-6 aliphatic carbon atoms, and in yet other embodiments aliphatic groups contain 1-4 aliphatic carbon atoms. In some embodiments, “cycloaliphatic” (or “carbocycle” or “cycloalkyl”) refers to a monocyclic C₃-C₈ hydrocarbon or bicyclic C₈-C₁₂ hydrocarbon that is completely saturated or that contains one or more units of unsaturation, but which is not aromatic, that has a single point of attachment to the rest of the molecule wherein any individual ring in said bicyclic ring system has 3-7 members. Suitable aliphatic groups include, but are not limited to, linear or branched, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl groups and hybrids thereof such as (cycloalkyl)alkyl, (cycloalkenyl)alkyl or (cycloalkyl)alkenyl.

The term “heteroaliphatic”, as used herein, means aliphatic groups wherein one or two carbon atoms are independently replaced by one or more of oxygen, sulfur, nitrogen, phosphorus, or silicon. Heteroaliphatic groups may be substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched, cyclic or acyclic, and include “heterocycle”, “heterocyclyl”, “heterocycloaliphatic”, or “heterocyclic” groups.

The term “heterocycle”, “heterocyclyl”, “heterocycloaliphatic”, or “heterocyclic” as used herein means non-aromatic, monocyclic, bicyclic, or tricyclic ring systems in which one or more ring members are an independently selected heteroatom. In some embodiments, the “heterocycle”, “heterocyclyl”, “heterocycloaliphatic”, or “heterocyclic” group has three to fourteen ring members in which one or more ring members is a heteroatom independently selected from oxygen, sulfur, nitrogen, or phosphorus, and each ring in the system contains 3 to 7 ring members.

The term “heteroatom” means one or more of oxygen, sulfur, nitrogen, phosphorus, or silicon (including, any oxidized form of nitrogen, sulfur, phosphorus, or silicon; the quaternized form of any basic nitrogen or; a substitutable nitrogen of a heterocyclic ring, for example N (as in 3,4-dihydro-2H-pyrrolyl), NH (as in pyrrolidinyl) or NR⁺ (as in N-substituted pyrrolidinyl)).

The term “unsaturated”, as used herein, means that a moiety has one or more units of unsaturation.

The term “alkoxy”, or “thioalkyl”, as used herein, refers to an alkyl group, as previously defined, attached to the principal carbon chain through an oxygen (“alkoxy”) or sulfur (“thioalkyl”) atom.

The terms “haloalkyl”, “haloalkenyl” and “haloalkoxy” means alkyl, alkenyl or alkoxy, as the case may be, substituted with one or more halogen atoms. The term “halogen” means F, Cl, Br, or I.

The term “aryl” used alone or as part of a larger moiety as in “aralkyl”, “aralkoxy”, or “aryloxyalkyl”, refers to monocyclic, bicyclic, and tricyclic ring systems having a total of five to fourteen ring members, wherein at least one ring in the system is aromatic and wherein each ring in the system contains 3 to 7 ring members. The term “aryl” may be used interchangeably with the term “aryl ring”. The term “aryl” also refers to heteroaryl ring systems as defined hereinbelow.

The term “heteroaryl”, used alone or as part of a larger moiety as in “heteroaralkyl” or “heteroarylalkoxy”, refers to monocyclic, bicyclic, and tricyclic ring systems having a total of five to fourteen ring members, wherein at least one ring in the system is aromatic, at least one ring in the system contains one or more heteroatoms, and wherein each ring in the system contains 3 to 7 ring members. The term “heteroaryl” may be used interchangeably with the term “heteroaryl ring” or the term “heteroaromatic”.

An aryl (including aralkyl, aralkoxy, aryloxyalkyl and the like) or heteroaryl (including heteroaralkyl and heteroarylalkoxy and the like) group may contain one or more substituents and thus may be “optionally substituted”. Unless otherwise defined above and herein, suitable substituents on the unsaturated carbon atom of an aryl or heteroaryl group are generally selected from halogen; —R^(o); —OR^(o); —SR^(o); phenyl (Ph) optionally substituted with R^(o); —O(Ph) optionally substituted with R^(o); —(CH₂)₁₋₂(Ph), optionally substituted with R^(o); —CH═CH(Ph), optionally substituted with R^(o); —NO₂; —CN; —N(R^(o))₂; —NR^(o)C(O)R^(o); —NR^(o)C(S)R^(o); —NR^(o)C(O)N(R^(o))₂; —NR^(o)C(S)N(R^(o))₂; —NR^(o)CO₂R^(o); —NR^(o)NR^(o)C(O)R^(o); —NR^(o)NR^(o)C(O)N(R^(o))₂; —NR^(o)NR^(o)CO₂R^(o); —C(O)C(O)R^(o); —C(O)CH₂C(O)R^(o); —CO₂R^(o); —C(O)R^(o); —C(S)R^(o); —C(O)N(R^(o))₂; —C(S)N(R^(o))₂; —OC(O)N(R^(o))₂; —OC(O)R^(o); —C(O)N(OR^(o))R^(o); —C(NOR^(o))R^(o); —S(O)₂R^(o); —S(O)₃R^(o); —SO₂N(R^(o))₂; —S(O)R^(o); —NR^(o)SO₂N(R^(o))₂; —NR^(o)SO₂R^(o); —N(OR^(o))R^(o); —C(═NH)—N(R^(o))₂; —P(O)₂R^(o); —PO(R^(o))₂, —OPO(R^(o))₂; —(CH₂)₀₋₂NHC(O)R^(o); phenyl (Ph) optionally substituted with R^(o); —O(Ph) optionally substituted with R^(o); —(CH₂)₁₋₂(Ph), optionally substituted with R^(o); or —CH═CH(Ph), optionally substituted with R^(o); wherein each independent occurrence of R^(o) is selected from hydrogen, optionally substituted C₁₋₆ aliphatic, an unsubstituted 5-6 membered heteroaryl or heterocyclic ring, phenyl, —O(Ph), or —CH₂(Ph), or, notwithstanding the definition above, two independent occurrences of R^(o), on the same substituent or different substituents, taken together with the atom(s) to which each R^(o) group is bound, to form an optionally substituted 3-12 membered saturated, partially unsaturated, or fully unsaturated monocyclic or bicyclic ring having 0-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur.

Optional substituents on the aliphatic group of R^(o) are selected from NH₂, NH(C₁₋₄aliphatic), N(C₁₋₄aliphatic)₂, halogen, C₁₋₄aliphatic, OH, O(C₁₋₄aliphatic), NO₂, CN, CO₂H, CO₂(C₁₋₄aliphatic), O(haloC₁₋₄ aliphatic), or haloC₁₋₄aliphatic, wherein each of the foregoing C₁₋₄aliphatic groups of R^(o) is unsubstituted.

An aliphatic or heteroaliphatic group, or a non-aromatic heterocyclic ring may contain one or more substituents and thus may be “optionally substituted”. Unless otherwise defined above and herein, suitable substituents on the saturated carbon of an aliphatic or heteroaliphatic group, or of a non-aromatic heterocyclic ring are selected from those listed above for the unsaturated carbon of an aryl or heteroaryl group and additionally include the following: ═O, ═S, ═NNHR*, ═NN(R*)₂, ═NNHC(O)R*, ═NNHCO₂(alkyl), ═NNHSO₂(alkyl), or ═NR*, where each R* is independently selected from hydrogen or an optionally substituted C₁₋₆ aliphatic group.

Unless otherwise defined above and herein, optional substituents on the nitrogen of a non-aromatic heterocyclic ring are generally selected from —R⁺, —N(R⁺)₂, —C(O)R⁺, —CO₂R⁺, —C(O)C(O)R⁺, —C(O)CH₂C(O)R⁺, —SO₂R⁺, —SO₂N(R⁺)₂, —C(═S)N(R⁺¹)₂, —C(═NH)—N(R⁺)₂, or —NR⁺SO₂R⁺; wherein R⁺ is hydrogen, an optionally substituted C₁₋₆ aliphatic, optionally substituted phenyl, optionally substituted —O(Ph), optionally substituted —CH₂(Ph), optionally substituted —(CH₂)₁₋₂(Ph); optionally substituted —CH═CH(Ph); or an unsubstituted 5-6 membered heteroaryl or heterocyclic ring having one to four heteroatoms independently selected from oxygen, nitrogen, or sulfur, or, notwithstanding the definition above, two independent occurrences of R⁺, on the same substituent or different substituents, taken together with the atom(s) to which each R⁺ group is bound, form an optionally substituted 3-12 membered saturated, partially unsaturated, or fully unsaturated monocyclic or bicyclic ring having 0-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur.

Optional substituents on the aliphatic group or the phenyl ring of R⁺ are selected from —NH₂, —NH(C₁₋₄ aliphatic), —N(C₁₋₄ aliphatic)₂, halogen, C₁₋₄ aliphatic, —OH, —O(C₁₋₄ aliphatic), —NO₂, —CN, —CO₂H, —CO₂(C₁₋₄ aliphatic), —O(halo C₁₋₄ aliphatic), or halo(C₁₋₄ aliphatic), wherein each of the foregoing C₁₋₄ aliphatic groups of R⁺ is unsubstituted.

The term “alkylidene chain” refers to a straight or branched carbon chain that may be fully saturated or have one or more units of unsaturation and has two points of attachment to the rest of the molecule.

As detailed above, in some embodiments, two independent occurrences of R^(o) (or R⁺, R, R′ or any other variable similarly defined herein), are taken together with the atom(s) to which they are bound to form an optionally substituted 3-12 membered saturated, partially unsaturated, or fully unsaturated monocyclic or bicyclic ring having 0-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur.

Exemplary rings that are formed when two independent occurrences of R^(o) (or R⁺, R, R′ or any other variable similarly defined herein), are taken together with the atom(s) to which each variable is bound include, but are not limited to the following: a) two independent occurrences of R^(o) (or R⁺, R, R′ or any other variable similarly defined herein) that are bound to the same atom and are taken together with that atom to form a ring, for example, N(R^(o))₂, where both occurrences of R^(o) are taken together with the nitrogen atom to form a piperidin-1-yl, piperazin-1-yl, or morpholin-4-yl group; and b) two independent occurrences of R^(o) (or R⁺, R, R′ or any other variable similarly defined herein) that are bound to different atoms and are taken together with both of those atoms to form a ring, for example where a phenyl group is substituted with two occurrences of

these two occurrences of R^(o) are taken together with the oxygen atoms to which they are bound to form a fused 6-membered oxygen containing ring:

It will be appreciated that a variety of other rings can be formed when two independent occurrences of R^(o) (or R⁺, R, R′ or any other variable similarly defined herein) are taken together with the atom(s) to which each variable is bound and that the examples detailed above are not intended to be limiting.

Unless otherwise stated, structures depicted herein are also meant to include all isomeric (e.g., enantiomeric, diastereomeric, and geometric (or conformational)) forms of the structure; for example, the R and S configurations for each asymmetric center, (Z) and (E) double bond isomers, and (Z) and (E) conformational isomers. Therefore, single stereochemical isomers as well as enantiomeric, diastereomeric, and geometric (or conformational) mixtures of the present compounds are within the scope of the invention. Unless otherwise stated, all tautomeric forms of the compounds of the invention are within the scope of the invention. Additionally, unless otherwise stated, structures depicted herein are also meant to include compounds that differ only in the presence of one or more isotopically enriched atoms. For example, compounds having the present structures except for the replacement of hydrogen by deuterium or tritium, or the replacement of a carbon by a ¹³C- or ¹⁴C-enriched carbon are within the scope of this invention. Such compounds are useful, for example, as analytical tools or probes in biological assays.

3. Description of Exemplary Compounds:

As described generally above, for compounds of the invention, X is O or NR². Accordingly, in certain embodiments, X is NR², and compounds have the structure of formula I-A:

In other embodiments, X is O, and compounds have the structure of formula I-B:

In certain embodiments for compounds of general formula I-A, one of R¹ or R² is hydrogen, and the other of R¹ and R² is selected from an optionally substituted C₁₋₄ aliphatic group, wherein one or more methylene units in the C₁₋₄aliphatic group are optionally replaced with —NR—, —O—, —COO, —OCO—, —NRCO—, —CONR—, —SO₂NR—, or —NRSO₂—, or is Cy¹, wherein Cy¹ is a 5-7-membered monocyclic aryl ring or an 8-10-membered bicyclic aryl ring having 0-3 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, or is a 3-12-membered saturated, or partially unsaturated monocyclic or bicyclic ring having 0-3 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, wherein Cy¹ is bonded directly to the nitrogen atom or is bonded through an optionally substituted C₁₋₄ aliphatic group, wherein one or more methylene units in the C₁₋₄aliphatic group are optionally replaced with —NR—, —O—, —COO, —OCO—, —NRCO—, —CONR—, —SO₂NR—, or —NRSO₂—.

In still other embodiments, R¹ and R² are each independently selected from Cy¹, wherein Cy¹ is a 5-7-membered monocyclic aryl ring or an 8-10-membered bicyclic aryl ring having 0-3 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, or is a 3-12-membered saturated, or partially unsaturated monocyclic or bicyclic ring having 0-3 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, wherein Cy¹ is bonded directly to the nitrogen atom or is bonded through an optionally substituted C₁₋₄aliphatic group, wherein one or more methylene units in the C₁₋₄aliphatic group are optionally replaced with —NR—, —O—, —COO, —OCO—, —NRCO—, —CONR—, —SO₂NR—, or —NRSO₂—; or from an optionally substituted C₁₋₄aliphatic group, wherein one or more methylene units in the C₁₋₄aliphatic group are optionally replaced with —NR—, —O—, —COO—, —OCO—, —NRCO—, —CONR—, —SO₂NR—, or —NRSO₂—.

In other embodiments, for compounds of formula I-A, one of R¹ or R² is hydrogen, and the other of R¹ or R² is an optionally substituted C₁₋₄aliphatic group, wherein one or more methylene units in the C₁₋₄aliphatic group are optionally replaced with —NR—, —O—, —COO—, —OCO—, —NRCO—, —CONR—, —SO₂NR—, or —NRSO₂—. In still other embodiments, the optionally substituted C₁₋₄aliphatic group is substituted with Cy¹, wherein Cy¹ is 5-7-membered monocyclic aryl ring or an 8-10-membered bicyclic aryl ring having 0-3 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, or is a 3-12 membered saturated or partially unsaturated monocyclic ring having 0-3 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, wherein Cy¹ is optionally substituted with 0-5 independent occurrences of —R⁵. In yet other embodiments, one of R¹ or R² is hydrogen or C₁-C₄alkyl, and the other of R¹ or R² is —CH₂-Cy¹.

In yet other embodiments, for compounds of formula I-B, R¹ is an optionally substituted C₁₋₄aliphatic group, wherein one or more methylene units in the C₁₋₄aliphatic group are optionally replaced with —NR—, —O—, —COO—, —OCO, —NRCO—, —CONR—, —SO₂NR—, or —NRSO₂—.

In still other embodiments, for compounds of formula I-A, neither R¹ nor R² is hydrogen, and R¹ and R² are each independently selected from Cy¹, wherein Cy¹ is a 5-7-membered monocyclic aryl ring or an 8-10-membered bicyclic aryl ring having 0-3 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, or is a 3-12-membered saturated, or partially unsaturated monocyclic or bicyclic ring having 0-3 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, wherein Cy¹ is bonded directly to the nitrogen atom or is bonded through an optionally substituted C₁₋₄aliphatic group, wherein one or more methylene units in the C₁₋₄aliphatic group are optionally replaced with —NR—, —O—, —COO, —OCO—, —NRCO—, —CONR—, —SO₂NR—, or —NRSO₂—; or from an optionally substituted C₁₋₄aliphatic group, wherein one or more methylene units in the C₁₋₄aliphatic group are optionally replaced with —NR—, —O—, —COO—, —OCO—, —NRCO—, —CONR—, SO₂NR—, or —NRSO₂—. In other embodiments, both R¹ and R² are an optionally substituted C₁₋₄aliphatic group, wherein one or more methylene units in the C₁₋₄aliphatic group are optionally replaced with —NR—, —O—, —COO—, —OCO—, —NRCO—, —CONR—, —SO₂NR—, or —NRSO₂—.

In some embodiments, for compounds of formula I, I-A or I-B, Cy¹ is selected from:

wherein R⁴ is previously defined and z is 0-4. Other exemplary rings include those shown below in Table 2.

In yet other embodiments, for compounds of formula I, I-A, and I-B, exemplary R¹ and R² groups are optionally substituted methyl, ethyl, cyclopropyl, n-propyl, propenyl, cyclobutyl, (CO)OCH₂CH₃, (CH₂)₂OCH₃, CH₂(CO)OCH₂CH₃, CH₂(CO)OCH₃, CH(CH₃)CH₂CH₃, or n-butyl. Other exemplary R¹ and R² groups include those shown below in Table 2.

In still other embodiments, for compounds of formula I-A, R¹ and R², taken together with the nitrogen atom to which they are bound, form an optionally substituted 3-12 membered heterocyclyl ring having 1-3 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, sulfur, or oxygen. In certain preferred embodiments, R¹ and R² are taken together with the nitrogen atom to which they are bound and form a group selected from:

wherein the ring formed by R¹ and R² taken together, is optionally substituted at one or more substitutable carbon, nitrogen, or sulfur atoms with z independent occurrences of —R⁴, and z is 0-5.

In other embodiments, for compounds of formula I-A, R¹ and R² taken together are optionally substituted azetidin-1-yl (jj), pyrrolidin-1-yl (ff), piperidin 1-yl (dd), piperazin-1-yl (cc), or morpholin-4-yl (ee). In other embodiments, for compounds of formula I-A, R¹ and R² taken together are optionally substituted azetidin-1-yl (jj), pyrrolidin-1-yl (ff), piperidin 1-yl (dd), or piperazin-1-yl (cc). In yet other embodiments, for compounds of formula I-A, R¹ and R², taken together is optionally substituted azetidin-1-yl (jj). In yet other embodiments, for compounds of formula I-A, R¹ and R², taken together is optionally substituted pyrrolidin-1-yl (ff). In still other embodiments, for compounds of formula I-A, R¹ and R², taken together is optionally substituted piperidin 1-yl (dd). In yet other embodiments, for compounds of formula I-A, R¹ and R², taken together is optionally substituted piperazin-1-yl (cc).

In certain embodiments, z is 0-2. In other embodiments, z is 0 and the ring is unsubstituted. Preferred R⁴ groups, when present, are each independently halogen, CN, NO₂, —N(R′)₂, —CH₂N(R′)₂, —OR′, —CH₂OR′, —SR′, —CH₂SR′, —COOR′, —NRCOR′, —CON(R′)₂, —OCON(R′)₂, COR′, —NHCOOR′, —SO₂R′, —SO₂N(R′)₂, or an optionally substituted group selected from C₁-C₆aliphatic, aryl, heteroaryl, cycloaliphatic, heterocycloaliphatic, arylC₁-C₆alkyl, heteroarylC₁-C₆alkyl, cycloaliphaticC₁-C₆alkyl, or heterocycloaliphaticC₁-C₆alkyl. Other exemplary R⁴ groups are Cl, Br, F, CF₃, CH₃, —CH₂CH₃, CN, —COOH, —N(CH₃)₂, —N(Et)₂, —N(iPr)₂, —O(CH₂)₂OCH₃, —CONH₂, —COOCH₃, —OH, —CH₂OH, —NHCOCH₃, —SO₂NH₂, —SO₂(CH₂)₃CH₃, —SO₂CH(CH₃)₂, —SO₂N(CH₃)₂, —SO₂CH₂CH₃, —C(O)OCH₂CH(CH₃)₂, —C(O)NHCH₂CH(CH₃)₂, —NHCOOCH₃, —C(O)C(CH₃)₃, —COO(CH₂)₂CH₃, —C(O)NHCH(CH₃)₂, —C(O)CH₂CH₃, or an optionally substituted group selected from -piperidinyl, piperizinyl, morpholino, C₁₋₄alkoxy, phenyl, phenyloxy, benzyl, benzyloxy, —CH₂cyclohexyl, pyridyl, —CH₂pyridyl, or —CH₂thiazolyl. Still other exemplary R⁴ groups include those shown below in Table 2.

In certain embodiments, for compounds of formula I-A, R¹ and R², taken together is optionally substituted azetidin-1-yl (jj), wherein z is 1 or 2 and at least one occurrence of R⁴ is —NRSO₂R′, —NRCOOR′, or —NRCOR′. In certain other embodiments, for compounds of formula I-A, R¹ and R², taken together is optionally substituted azetidin-1-yl (jj), wherein z is 1 and R⁴ is —NRSO₂R′. In other embodiments, for compounds of formula I-A, R¹ and R², taken together is optionally substituted azetidin-1-yl (jj), wherein z is 1 and R⁴ is —NRCOOR′. In certain other embodiments, for compounds of formula I-A, R¹ and R², taken together is optionally substituted azetidin-1-yl (jj), wherein z is 1 and R⁴ is —NRCOR′. In yet other embodiments, for compounds of formula I-A, R¹ and R², taken together is optionally substituted pyrrolidin-1-yl (ff), wherein z is 1 or 2 and R⁴ is Cl, Br, F, CF₃, CH₃, —CH₂CH₃, —OR′, or —CH₂OR′. In still other embodiments, for compounds of formula I-A, R¹ and R², taken together is optionally substituted piperidin-1-yl (dd), wherein z is 1 or 2 and at least one occurrence of R⁴ is Cl, Br, F, CF₃, CH₃, —CH₂CH₃, —OR′, or —CH₂OR′, —NRSO₂R′, —NRCOOR′, or —OCON(R′)₂. In certain other embodiments, for compounds of formula I-A, R¹ and R², taken together is optionally substituted piperidin-1-yl (dd), wherein z is 1 and R⁴ is F, CF₃, CH₃, —CH₂CH₃, —OR′, or —CH₂OR′. In other embodiments, for compounds of formula I-A, R¹ and R², taken together is optionally substituted piperidin-1-yl (dd), wherein z is 1 and R⁴ is —NRSO₂R′. In certain other embodiments, for compounds of formula I-A, R¹ and R², taken together is optionally substituted piperidin-1-yl (dd), wherein z is 1 and R⁴ is —NRCOOR′. In yet other embodiments, for compounds of formula I-A, R¹ and R², taken together is optionally substituted piperazin-1-yl (cc), wherein z is 1 or 2 and at least one occurrence of R⁴ is —SOR′, —CON(R′)₂, —SO₂N(R′)₂, —COR′, or —COOR′. In certain other embodiments, for compounds of formula I-A, R¹ and R², taken together is optionally substituted piperazin-1-yl (cc), wherein z is 1 and R⁴ is —SOR′. In certain other embodiments, for compounds of formula I-A, R¹ and R², taken together is optionally substituted piperazin-1-yl (cc), wherein z is 1 and R⁴ is —COOR′. In certain other embodiments, for compounds of formula I-A, R¹ and R², taken together is optionally substituted piperazin-1-yl (cc), wherein z is 1 and R⁴ is —CON(R′)₂. In certain other embodiments, for compounds of formula I-A, R¹ and R², taken together is optionally substituted piperazin-1-yl (cc), wherein z is 1 and R⁴ is —SO₂N(R′)₂. In certain other embodiments, for compounds of formula I-A, R¹ and R², taken together is optionally substituted piperazin-1-yl (cc), wherein z is 1 and R⁴ is —COR′.

As described generally above, for compounds of formulas I, I-A, or I-B, the quinazoline ring can be substituted with up to four independent occurrences of R³. In certain embodiments, x is 0-2. In other embodiments, x is 1 or 2. In still other embodiments x is 1 and R³ is substituted at the 6- or 7-position of the quinazoline ring. When the quinazoline ring is substituted (x is 1-4), R³ groups are halogen, CN, NO₂, —N(R′)₂, —CH₂N(R′)₂, —OR′, —CH₂OR′, —SR′, —CH₂SR′, —COOR′, —NRCOR′, —CON(R′)₂, —OCON(R′)₂, COR′, —NHCOOR′, —SO₂R′, —SO₂N(R′)₂, or an optionally substituted group selected from C₁-C₆aliphatic, aryl, heteroaryl, cycloaliphatic, heterocycloaliphatic, arylC₁-C₆alkyl, heteroarylC₁-C₆alkyl, cycloaliphaticC₁-C₆alkyl, or heterocycloaliphaticC₁-C₆alkyl. In still other embodiments, each occurrence of R³ is independently Cl, Br, F, CF₃, —OCF₃, Me, Et, CN, —COOH, —NH₂, —N(CH₃)₂, —N(Et)₂, —N(iPr)₂, —O(CH₂)₂OCH₃, —CONH₂, —COOCH₃, —OH, —OCH₃, —OCH₂CH₃, —CH₂OH, —NHCOCH₃, —NHCOCH(CH₃)₂, —SO₂NH₂, —CONH(cyclopropyl), —CONHCH₃, —CONHCH₂CH₃, or an optionally substituted group selected from -piperidinyl, piperizinyl, morpholino, phenyl, phenyloxy, benzyl, or benzyloxy. In still other embodiments, x is 1 or 2 and each R³ group is independently halogen, CN, optionally substituted C₁-C₆alkyl, OR′, N(R′)₂, CON(R′)₂, or NRCOR′. In yet other embodiments, x is 1 or 2, and each R³ group is —Cl, —CH₃, —CH₂CH₃, —F, —CF₃, —OCF₃, —CONHCH₃, —CONHCH₂CH₃, —CONH(cyclopropyl), —OCH₃, —NH₂, —OCH₂CH₃, or —CN. In still other embodiments, x is 1 and R³ is at the 6-position of the quinazoline ring and is —Cl, —CH₃, —CH₂CH₃, —F, —CF₃, —OCF₃, —CONHCH₃, —CONHCH₂CH₃, —CONH(cyclopropyl), —OCH₃, —NH₂, —OCH₂CH₃, or —CN. IN yet other embodiments, x is 1 and R³ is at the 7-position of the quinazoline ring and is —Cl, —CH₃, —CH₂CH₃, —F, —CF₃, —OCF₃, —CONHCH₃, —CONHCH₂CH₃, —CONH(cyclopropyl), —OCH₃, —NH₂, —OCH₂CH₃, or —CN. In other embodiments, x is 1 and R³ is at the 6-position of the quinazoline ring and is —Cl, —CH₃, —CH₂CH₃, —F, —CF₃, —OCF₃, —OCH₃, or —OCH₂CH₃. In still other embodiments, x is 1 and R³ is at the 7-position of the quinazoline ring and is —Cl, —CH₃, —CH₂CH₃, —F, —CF₃, —OCF₃, —OCH₃, or —OCH₂CH₃. In other embodiments, x is 1 and R³ is at the 6-position of the quinazoline ring and is —CON(R′)₂, or NRCOR′. In yet other embodiments, x is 1 and R³ is at the 7-position of the quinazoline ring and is —CON(R′)₂, or NRCOR′. Other exemplary R³ groups include those shown below in Table 2.

In some embodiments, y is 0-5 and R⁵, when present, is each independently halogen, CN, NO₂, —N(R′)₂, —CH₂N(R′)₂, —OR′, —CH₂OR′, —SR′, —CH₂SR′, —NRCOR′, —CON(R′)₂, S(O)₂N(R′)₂, —OCOR′, —COR′, —CO₂R′, —OCON(R′)₂, —NR′SO₂R′, —OP(O)(OR′)₂, —P(O)(OR′)₂, —OP(O)₂OR′, —P(O)₂OR′, —PO(R′)₂, —OPO(R′)₂, or an optionally substituted group selected from C₁-C₆aliphatic, aryl, heteroaryl, cycloaliphatic, heterocycloaliphatic, arylC₁-C₆alkyl, heteroarylC₁-C₆alkyl, cycloaliphaticC₁-C₆alkyl, or heterocycloaliphaticC₁-C₆alkyl.

In yet other embodiments, y is 0-5 and each occurrence of R⁵ is independently Cl, Br, F, CF₃, Me, Et, CN, —COON, —NH₂, —N(CH₃)₂, —N(Et)₂, —N(iPr)₂, —O(CH₂)₂OCH₃, —CONH₂, —COOCH₃, —OH, —OCH₃, —OCH₂CH₃, —CH₂OH, —NHCOCH₃, —SO₂NH₂, —SO₂NHC(CH₃)₂, —OCOC(CH₃)₃, —OCOCH₂C(CH₃)₃, —O(CH₂)₂N(CH₃)₂, 4-CH₃-piperazin-1-yl, OCOCH(CH₃)₂, OCO(cyclopentyl), —COCH₃, optionally substituted phenoxy, or optionally substituted benzyloxy.

Other exemplary R⁵ groups include those shown below in Table 2.

For compounds described in this section above, in general, compounds are useful as inhibitors of ion channels, preferably voltage gated sodium channels and N-type calcium channels. In certain exemplary embodiments, compounds of the invention are useful as inhibitors of NaV1.8. In other embodiments, compounds of the invention are useful as inhibitors of NaV1.8 and CaV2.2. In still other embodiments, compounds of the invention are useful as inhibitors of CaV2.2. In yet other embodiments, compounds of the invention are useful as dual inhibitors of NaV1.8 and a TTX-sensitive ion channel such as NaV1.3 or NaV1.7.

Certain additional embodiments of compounds described generally above are described in more detail below. For example:

1. Compounds of Formula IA:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein:

R¹ and R², taken together with the nitrogen atom to which they are bound, form an optionally substituted 3-12-membered monocyclic or bicyclic saturated, partially unsaturated, or fully unsaturated ring having 0-3 additional heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, sulfur, or oxygen; wherein the ring formed by R¹ and R² taken together, is optionally substituted at one or more substitutable carbon, nitrogen, or sulfur atoms with z independent occurrences of —R⁴, wherein z is 0-5;

y is 0-5;

x is 0-4;

each occurrence of R³, R⁴, and R⁵ is independently Q-R^(X); wherein Q is a bond or is a C₁-C₆ alkylidene chain wherein up to two non-adjacent methylene units of Q are optionally and independently replaced by —NR—, —S—, —O—, —CS—, —CO₂—, —OCO—, —CO—, —COCO—, —CONR—, —NRCO—, —NRCO₂—, —SO₂NR—, —NRSO₂—, —CONRNR—, —NRCONR—, —OCONR—, —NRNR—, —NRSO₂NR—, —SO—, —SO₂—, —PO—, —PO₂—, —OP(O)(OR)—, or —POR—; and each occurrence of R^(X) is independently selected from —R′, halogen, ═O, ═NR′, —NO₂, —CN, —OR′, —SR′, —N(R′)₂, —NR′COR′, —NR′CON(R′)₂, —NR′CO₂R′, —COR′, —CO₂R′, —OCOR′, —CON(R′)₂, —OCON(R′)₂, —SOR′, —SO₂R′, —SO₂N(R′)₂, —NR′SO₂R′, —NR′SO₂N(R′)₂, —COCOR′, —COCH₂COR′, —OP(O)(OR′)₂, —P(O)(OR′)₂, —OP(O)₂OR′, —P(O)₂OR′, —PO(R′)₂, or —OPO(R′)₂; and

each occurrence of R is independently hydrogen or an optionally substituted C₁₋₆ aliphatic group; and each occurrence of R′ is independently hydrogen or an optionally substituted C₁₋₆ aliphatic group, a 3-8-membered saturated, partially unsaturated, or fully unsaturated monocyclic ring having 0-3 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, or an 8-12 membered saturated, partially unsaturated, or fully unsaturated bicyclic ring system having 0-5 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur; or R and R′, two occurrences of R, or two occurrences of R′, are taken together with the atom(s) to which they are bound to form an optionally substituted 3-12 membered saturated, partially unsaturated, or fully unsaturated monocyclic or bicyclic ring having 0-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur.

In other embodiments, for compounds described directly above, the ring formed by R¹ and R² taken together is selected from:

wherein the ring formed by R¹ and R² taken together, is optionally substituted at one or more substitutable carbon, nitrogen, or sulfur atoms with z independent occurrences of —R⁴, and z is 0-5.

In other embodiments, for compounds of formula I-A, R¹ and R² taken together are optionally substituted azetidin-1-yl (jj), pyrrolidin-1-yl (ff), piperidin 1-yl (dd), piperazin-1-yl (cc), or morpholin-4-yl (ee). In other embodiments, for compounds of formula I-A, R¹ and R² taken together are optionally substituted azetidin-1-yl (jj), pyrrolidin-1-yl (ff), piperidin 1-yl (dd), or piperazin-1-yl (cc). In yet other embodiments, for compounds of formula I-A, R¹ and R², taken together is optionally substituted azetidin-1-yl (jj). In yet other embodiments, for compounds of formula I-A, R¹ and R², taken together is optionally substituted pyrrolidin-1-yl (ff). In still other embodiments, for compounds of formula I-A, R¹ and R², taken together is optionally substituted piperidin 1-yl (dd). In yet other embodiments, for compounds of formula I-A, R¹ and R², taken together is optionally substituted piperazin-1-yl (cc).

For compounds described directly above, z is 0-5, and R⁴ groups, when present, are each independently halogen, CN, NO₂, —N(R′)₂, —CH₂N(R′)₂, —OR′, —CH₂OR′, —SR′, —CH₂SR′, —COOR′, —NRCOR′, —CON(R′)₂, —OCON(R′)₂, COR′, —NHCOOR′, —SO₂R′, —SO₂N(R′)₂, or an optionally substituted group selected from C₁-C₆aliphatic, aryl, heteroaryl, cycloaliphatic, heterocycloaliphatic, arylC₁-C₆allyl, heteroarylC₁-C₆alkyl, cycloaliphaticC₁-C₆alkyl, or heterocycloaliphaticC₁-C₆alkyl.

In still other embodiments, z is 0-5 and R⁴ groups are each independently Cl, Br, F, CF₃, CH₃, —CH₂CH₃, CN, —COON, —N(CH₃)₂, —N(Et)₂, —N(iPr)₂, —O(CH₂)₂OCH₃, —CONH₂, —COOCH₃, —OH, —CH₂OH, —NHCOCH₃, —SO₂NH₂, —SO₂(CH₂)₃CH₃, —SO₂CH(CH₃)₂, —SO₂N(CH₃)₂, —SO₂CH₂CH₃, —C(O)OCH₂CH(CH₃)₂, —C(O)NHCH₂CH(CH₃)₂, —NHCOOCH₃, —C(O)C(CH₃)₃, —COO(CH₂)₂CH₃, —C(O)NHCH(CH₃)₂, —C(O)CH₂CH₃, or an optionally substituted group selected from -piperidinyl, piperizinyl, morpholino, C₁₋₄alkoxy, phenyl, phenyloxy, benzyl, benzyloxy, —CH₂cyclohexyl, pyridyl, —CH₂pyridyl, or —CH₂thiazolyl.

In certain embodiments, for compounds of formula I-A, R¹ and R², taken together is optionally substituted azetidin-1-yl (jj), wherein z is 1 or 2 and at least one occurrence of R⁴ is —NRSO₂R′, —NRCOOR′, or —NRCOR′. In certain other embodiments, for compounds of formula I-A, R¹ and R², taken together is optionally substituted azetidin-1-yl (jj), wherein z is 1 and R⁴ is —NRSO₂R′. In other embodiments, for compounds of formula I-A, R¹ and R², taken together is optionally substituted azetidin-1-yl (jj), wherein z is 1 and R⁴ is —NRCOOR′. In certain other embodiments, for compounds of formula I-A, R¹ and R², taken together is optionally substituted azetidin-1-yl (jj), wherein z is 1 and R⁴ is —NRCOR′. In yet other embodiments, for compounds of formula I-A, R¹ and R², taken together is optionally substituted pyrrolidin-1-yl (ff), wherein z is 1 or 2 and R⁴ is Cl, Br, F, CF₃, CH₃, —CH₂CH₃, —OR′, or —CH₂OR′. In still other embodiments, for compounds of formula I-A, R¹ and R², taken together is optionally substituted piperidin-1-yl (dd), wherein z is 1 or 2 and at least one occurrence of R⁴ is Cl, Br, F, CF₃, CH₃, —CH₂CH₃, —OR′, or —CH₂OR′, —NRSO₂R′, —NRCOOR′, or —OCON(R′)₂. In certain other embodiments, for compounds of formula I-A, R¹ and R², taken together is optionally substituted piperidin-1-yl (dd), wherein z is 1 and R⁴ is F, CF₃, CH₃, —CH₂CH₃, —OR′, or —CH₂OR′. In other embodiments, for compounds of formula I-A, R¹ and R², taken together is optionally substituted piperidin-1-yl (dd), wherein z is 1 and R⁴ is —NRSO₂R′. In certain other embodiments, for compounds of formula I-A, R¹ and R², taken together is optionally substituted piperidin-1-yl (dd), wherein z is 1 and R⁴ is —NRCOOR′. In yet other embodiments, for compounds of formula I-A, R¹ and R², taken together is optionally substituted piperazin-1-yl (cc), wherein z is 1 or 2 and at least one occurrence of R⁴ is —SOR′, —CON(R′)₂, —SO₂N(R′)₂, —COR′, or —COOR′. In certain other embodiments, for compounds of formula I-A, R¹ and R², taken together is optionally substituted piperazin-1-yl (cc), wherein z is 1 and R⁴ is —SOR′. In certain other embodiments, for compounds of formula I-A, R¹ and R², taken together is optionally substituted piperazin-1-yl (cc), wherein z is 1 and R⁴ is —COOR′. In certain other embodiments, for compounds of formula I-A, R¹ and R², taken together is optionally substituted piperazin-1-yl (cc), wherein z is 1 and R⁴ is —CON(R′)₂. In certain other embodiments, for compounds of formula I-A, R¹ and R², taken together is optionally substituted piperazin-1-yl (cc), wherein z is 1 and R⁴ is —SO₂N(R′)₂. In certain other embodiments, for compounds of formula I-A, R¹ and R², taken together is optionally substituted piperazin-1-yl (cc), wherein z is 1 and R⁴ is —COR′.

For compounds described directly above, in some embodiments, x is 0-4, and R³ groups, when present, are each independently halogen, CN, NO₂, —N(R′)₂, —CH₂N(R′)₂, —OR′, —CH₂OR′, —SR′, —CH₂SR′, —COOR′, —NRCOR′, —CON(R′)₂, —OCON(R′)₂, COR′, —NHCOOR′, —SO₂R′, —SO₂N(R′)₂, or an optionally substituted group selected from C₁-C₆aliphatic, aryl, heteroaryl, cycloaliphatic, heterocycloaliphatic, arylC₁-C₆alkyl, heteroarylC₁-C₆alkyl, cycloaliphaticC₁-C₆alkyl, or heterocycloaliphaticC₁-C₆alkyl.

In yet other embodiments, x is 1 or 2, and each occurrence of R³ is independently Br, F, CF₃, —OCF₃, Me, Et, CN, —COOH, —NH₂, —N(CH₃)₂, —N(Et)₂, —N(iPr)₂, —O(CH₂)₂OCH₃, —CONH₂, —COOCH₃, —OH, —OCH₃, —OCH₂CH₃, —CH₂OH, —NHCOCH₃, —NHCOCH(CH₃)₂, —SO₂NH₂, —CONH(cyclopropyl), —CONHCH₃, —CONHCH₂CH₃, or an optionally substituted group selected from -piperidinyl, piperizinyl, morpholino, phenyl, phenyloxy, benzyl, or benzyloxy.

In still other embodiments, x is 1 or 2 and each R³ group is independently halogen, CN, optionally substituted C₁-C₆alkyl, OR′, N(R′)₂, CON(R′)₂, or NRCOR′.

In yet other embodiments, x is 1 or 2, and each R³ group is —Cl, —CH₃, —CH₂CH₃, —F, —CF₃, —CONHCH₃, —CONHCH₂CH₃, —CONH(cyclopropyl), —OCH₃, —NH₂, —OCH₂CH₃, or —CN.

In still other embodiments, x is 1 and R³ is at the 6-position of the quinazoline ring and is —Cl, —CH₃, —CH₂CH₃, —F, —CF₃, —OCF₃, —CONHCH₃, —CONHCH₂CH₃, —CONH(cyclopropyl), —OCH₃, —NH₂, —OCH₂CH₃, or —CN.

In yet other embodiments, x is 1 and R³ is at the 7-position of the quinazoline ring and is —Cl, —CH₃, —CH₂CH₃, —F, —CF₃, —OCF₃, —CONHCH₃, —CONHCH₂CH₃, —CONH(cyclopropyl), —OCH₃, —NH₂, —OCH₂CH₃, or —CN.

In still other embodiments, x is 1 and R³ is at the 6-position of the quinazoline ring and is —Cl, —CH₃, —CH₂CH₃, —F, —CF₃, —OCF₃, —OCH₃, or —OCH₂CH₃.

In yet other embodiments, x is 1 and R³ is at the 7-position of the quinazoline ring and is —Cl, —CH₃, —CH₂CH₃, —F, —CF₃, —OCF₃, —OCH₃, or —OCH₂CH₃.

In still other embodiments, x is 1 and R³ is at the 6-position of the quinazoline ring and is —CON(R′)₂, or NRCOR′.

In yet other embodiments, x is 1 and R³ is at the 7-position of the quinazoline ring and is —Cl, —CH₃, —CH₂CH₃, —F, —CF₃, —OCF₃, —OCH₃, or —OCH₂CH₃.

For compounds described directly above, in some embodiments, y is 0-5 and R⁵, when present, are each independently halogen, CN, NO₂, —N(R′)₂, —CH₂N(R′)₂, —OR′, —CH₂OR′, —SR′, —CH₂SR′, —NRCOR′, —CON(R′)₂, —S(O)₂N(R′)₂, —OCOR′, —COR′, —CO₂R′, —OCON(R′)₂, —NR′SO₂R′, —OP(O)(OR′)₂, —P(O)(OR′)₂, —OP(O)₂OR′, —P(O)₂OR′, —PO(R′)₂, —OPO(R′)₂, or an optionally substituted group selected from C₁-C₆aliphatic, aryl, heteroaryl, cycloaliphatic, heterocycloaliphatic, arylC₁-C₆alkyl, heteroarylC₁-C₆alkyl, cycloaliphaticC₁-C₆alkyl, or heterocycloaliphaticC₁-C₆alkyl.

In still other embodiments, y is 0-5 and each occurrence of R⁵ is independently Cl, Br, F, CF₃, Me, Et, CN, —COOH, —NH₂, —N(CH₃)₂, —N(Et)₂, —N(iPr)₂, —O(CH₂)₂OCH₃, —CONH₂, —COOCH₃, —OH, —OCH₃, —OCH₂CH₃, —CH₂OH, —NHCOCH₃, —SO₂NH₂, —SO₂NHC(CH₃)₂, —OCOC(CH₃)₃, —OCOCH₂C(CH₃)₃, —O(CH₂)₂N(CH₃)₂, 4-CH₃-piperazin-1-yl, OCOCH(CH₃)₂, OCO(cyclopentyl), —COCH₃, optionally substituted phenoxy, or optionally substituted benzyloxy.

In still other embodiments, compounds have the structure IA-ii:

wherein:

a) the ring formed by R¹ and R² taken together is selected from:

and the ring formed by R¹ and R² taken together, is optionally substituted at one or more substitutable carbon, nitrogen, or sulfur atoms with z independent occurrences of —R⁴, and z is 0-5;

b) wherein z is 0-5, and R⁴ groups, when present, are each independently halogen, CN, NO₂, —N(R′)₂, —CH₂N(R′)₂, —OR′, —CH₂OR′, —SR′, —CH₂SR′, —COOR′, —NRCOR′, —CON(R′)₂, —OCON(R′)₂, COR′, —NHCOOR′, —SO₂R′, —SO₂N(R′)₂, or an optionally substituted group selected from C₁-C₆aliphatic, aryl, heteroaryl, cycloaliphatic, heterocycloaliphatic, arylC₁-C₆alkyl, heteroarylC₁-C₆alkyl, cycloaliphaticC₁-C₆alkyl, or heterocycloaliphaticC₁-C₆alkyl.

c) wherein x is 0-4, and R³ groups, when present, are each independently halogen, CN, NO₂, —N(R′)₂, —CH₂N(R′)₂, —OR′, —CH₂OR′, —SR′, —CH₂SR′, —COOR′, —NRCOR′, —CON(R′)₂, —OCON(R′)₂, COR′, —NHCOOR′, —SO₂R′, —SO₂N(R′)₂, or an optionally substituted group selected from C₁-C₆aliphatic, aryl, heteroaryl, cycloaliphatic, heterocycloaliphatic, arylC₁-C₆alkyl, heteroarylC₁-C₆alkyl, cycloaliphaticC₁-C₆alkyl, or heterocycloaliphaticC₁-C₆alkyl.

d) wherein y is 0-5, and R⁵ groups, when present, are each independently halogen, CN, NO₂, —N(R′)₂, —CH₂N(R′)₂, —OR′, —CH₂OR′, —SR′, —CH₂SR′, —NRCOR′, —CON(R′)₂, —S(O)₂N(R′)₂, —OCOR′, —COR′, —CO₂R′, —OCON(R′)₂, —NR′SO₂R′, —OP(O)(OR′)₂, —P(O)(OR′)₂, —OP(O)₂OR′, —P(O)₂OR′, —PO(R′)₂, —OPO(R′)₂, or an optionally substituted group selected from C₁-C₆aliphatic, aryl, heteroaryl, cycloaliphatic, heterocycloaliphatic, arylC₁-C₆alkyl, heteroarylC₁-C₆alkyl, cycloaliphaticC₁-C₆alkyl, or heterocycloaliphaticC₁-C₆alkyl; and

e) R^(5a) is Cl, Br, F, CF₃, Me, Et, CN, —COON, —NH₂, —N(CH₃)₂, —N(Et)₂, —N(iPr)₂, —O(CH₂)₂OCH₃, —CONH₂, —COOCH₃, —OH, —OCH₃, —OCH₂CH₃, —CH₂OH, —NHCOCH₃, —SO₂NH₂, —SO₂NHC(CH₃)₂, —OCOC(CH₃)₃, —OCOCH₂C(CH₃)₃, —O(CH₂)₂N(CH₃)₂, 4-CH₃-piperazin-1-yl, OCOCH(CH₃)₂, OCO(cyclopentyl), —COCH₃, optionally substituted phenoxy, or optionally substituted benzyloxy.

In still other embodiments, compounds have the structure IA-ii:

wherein:

a) R¹ and R² taken together is an optionally substituted ring selected from azetidin-1-yl (jj), pyrrolidin-1-yl (ff), piperidin 1-yl (dd), or piperazin-1-yl (cc);

b) z is 0-5 and R⁴ groups are each independently Cl, Br, F, CF₃, CH₃, —CH₂CH₃, CN, —COOH, —N(CH₃)₂, —N(Et)₂, —N(iPr)₂, —O(CH₂)₂OCH₃, —CONH₂, —COOCH₃, —OH, —CH₂OH, —NHCOCH₃, —SO₂NH₂, —SO₂(CH₂)₃CH₃, —SO₂CH(CH₃)₂, —SO₂N(CH₃)₂, —SO₂CH₂CH₃, —C(O)OCH₂CH(CH₃)₂, —C(O)NHCH₂CH(CH₃)₂, —NHCOOCH₃, —C(O)C(CH₃)₃, —COO(CH₂)₂CH₃, —C(O)NHCH(CH₃)₂, —C(O)CH₂CH₃, or an optionally substituted group selected from -piperidinyl, piperizinyl, morpholino, C₁₋₄alkoxy, phenyl, phenyloxy, benzyl, benzyloxy, —CH₂cyclohexyl, pyridyl, —CH₂pyridyl, or —CH₂thiazolyl;

c) x is 1 or 2, and each occurrence of R³ is independently Cl, Br, F, CF₃, —OCF₃, Me, Et, CN, —COOH, —NH₂, —N(CH₃)₂, —N(Et)₂, —N(iPr)₂, —O(CH₂)₂OCH₃, —CONH₂, —COOCH₃, —OH, —OCH₃, —OCH₂CH₃, —CH₂OH, —NHCOCH₃, —NHCOCH(CH₃)₂, —SO₂NH₂, —CONH(cyclopropyl), —CONHCH₃, —CONHCH₂CH₃, or an optionally substituted group selected from -piperidinyl, piperizinyl, morpholino, phenyl, phenyloxy, benzyl, or benzyloxy; and

d) wherein y is 0-4, and R⁵ groups, when present, are each independently Cl, Br, F, CF₃, Me, Et, CN, —COOH, —NH₂, —N(CH₃)₂, —N(Et)₂, —N(iPr)₂, —O(CH₂)₂OCH₃, —CONH₂, —COOCH₃, —OH, —OCH₃, —OCH₂CH₃, —CH₂OH, —NHCOCH₃, —SO₂NH₂, —SO₂NHC(CH₃)₂, —OCOC(CH₃)₃, —OCOCH₂C(CH₃)₃, —O(CH₂)₂N(CH₃)₂, 4-CH₃-piperazin-1-yl, OCOCH(CH₃)₂, OCO(cyclopentyl), —COCH₃, optionally substituted phenoxy, or optionally substituted benzyloxy.

In still other embodiments, for compounds of formula IA-ii x is 1 and R³ is at the 6-position of the quinazoline ring and is —Cl, —CH₃, —CH₂CH₃, —F, —CF₃, —OCF₃, —CONHCH₃, —CONHCH₂CH₃, —CONH(cyclopropyl), —OCH₃, —NH₂, —OCH₂CH₃, or —CN. In yet other embodiments, x is 1 and R³ is at the 7-position of the quinazoline ring and is —Cl, —CH₃, —CH₂CH₃, —F, —CF₃, —OCF₃, —CONHCH₃, —CONHCH₂CH₃, —CONH(cyclopropyl), —OCH₃, —NH₂, —OCH₂CH₃, or —CN. In still other embodiments, x is 1 and R³ is at the 6-position of the quinazoline ring and is —Cl, —CH₃, —CH₂CH₃, —F, —CF₃, —OCF₃, —OCH₃, or —OCH₂CH₃. In yet other embodiments, x is 1 and R³ is at the 7-position of the quinazoline ring and is —Cl, —CH₃, —CH₂CH₃, —F, —CF₃, —OCF₃, —OCH₃, or —OCH₂CH₃. In still other embodiments, x is 1 and R³ is at the 6-position of the quinazoline ring and is —CON(R′)₂, or NRCOR′.

In yet other embodiments, x is 1 and R³ is at the 7-position of the quinazoline ring and is —CON(R′)₂, or NRCOR′.

In still other exemplary embodiments compounds have formula IA-ii:

wherein:

a) R¹ and R² taken together is an optionally substituted ring selected from azetidin-1-yl (jj), pyrrolidin-1-yl (ff), piperidin 1-yl (dd), or piperazin-1-yl (cc);

b) z is 0-5 and R⁴ groups are each independently Cl, Br, F, CF₃, CH₃, —CH₂CH₃, CN, —COOH, —N(CH₃)₂, —N(Et)₂, —N(iPr)₂, —O(CH₂)₂OCH₃, —CONH₂, —COOCH₃, —OH, —CH₂OH, —NHCOCH₃, —SO₂NH₂, —SO₂(CH₂)₃CH₃, —SO₂CH(CH₃)₂, —SO₂N(CH₃)₂, —SO₂CH₂CH₃, —C(O)OCH₂CH(CH₃)₂, —C(O)NHCH₂CH(CH₃)₂, —NHCOOCH₃, —C(O)C(CH₃)₃, —COO(CH₂)₂CH₃, —C(O)NHCH(CH₃)₂, —C(O)CH₂CH₃, or an optionally substituted group selected from -piperidinyl, piperizinyl, morpholino, C₁₋₄alkoxy, phenyl, phenyloxy, benzyl, benzyloxy, —CH₂cyclohexyl, pyridyl, —CH₂pyridyl, or —CH₂thiazolyl;

c) x is 1, and each occurrence of R³ is independently Cl, Br, F, CF₃, —OCF₃, Me, Et, CN, —COOH, —OH, or —OCH₃; and

d) y is 0 or 1, and R⁵ groups, when present, are each independently Cl, Br, F, CF₃, Me, —OH, —OCH₃, —OCH₂CH₃, —CH₂OH, —NHCOCH₃, —SO₂NH₂, —SO₂NHC(CH₃)₂. and

In some embodiments for compounds described directly above, x is 1 and R³ is at the 6-position of the quinazoline ring and is —Cl, —CH₃, —CH₂CH₃, —F, —CF₃, —OCF₃, —CONHCH₃, —CONHCH₂CH₃, —CONH(cyclopropyl), —OCH₃, —NH₂, —OCH₂CH₃, or —CN. In still other embodiments, x is 1 and R³ is at the 7-position of the quinazoline ring and is —Cl, —CH₃, —CH₂CH₃, —F, —CF₃, —OCF₃, —CONHCH₃, —CONHCH₂CH₃, —CONH(cyclopropyl), —OCH₃, —NH₂, —OCH₂CH₃, or —CN. In yet other embodiments, x is 1 and R³ is at the 6-position of the quinazoline ring and is —Cl, —CH₃, —CH₂CH₃, —F, —CF₃, —OCF₃, —OCH₃, or —OCH₂CH₃. In still other embodiments, x is 1 and R³ is at the 7-position of the quinazoline ring and is —Cl, —CH₃, —CH₂CH₃, —F, —CF₃, —OCF₃, —OCH₃, or —OCH₂CH₃. In yet other embodiments, x is 1 and R³ is at the 6-position of the quinazoline ring and is —CON(R′)₂, or NRCOR′. In still other embodiments, x is 1 and R³ is at the 7-position of the quinazoline ring and is —CON(R′)₂, or NRCOR′.

In still other embodiments, for compounds of formula IA-ii, R¹ and R², taken together is optionally substituted azetidin-1-yl (jj). In yet other embodiments, for compounds of formula IA-ii, R¹ and R², taken together is optionally substituted pyrrolidin-1-yl (ff). In still other embodiments, for compounds of formula IA-ii, R¹ and R², taken together is optionally substituted piperidin 1-yl (dd). In yet other embodiments, for compounds of formula IA-ii, R¹ and R², taken together is optionally substituted piperazin-1-yl (cc).

In certain embodiments, for compounds of formula IA-ii, R¹ and R², taken together is optionally substituted azetidin-1-yl (jj), wherein z is 1 or 2 and at least one occurrence of R⁴ is —NRSO₂R′, —NRCOOR′, or —NRCOR′. In certain other embodiments, for compounds of formula IA-ii, R¹ and R², taken together is optionally substituted azetidin-1-yl (jj), wherein z is 1 and R⁴ is —NRSO₂R′. In other embodiments, for compounds of formula IA-ii, R¹ and R², taken together is optionally substituted azetidin-1-yl (jj), wherein z is 1 and R⁴ is —NRCOOR′. In certain other embodiments, for compounds of formula IA-ii, R¹ and R², taken together is optionally substituted azetidin-1-yl (jj), wherein z is 1 and R⁴ is —NRCOR′. In yet other embodiments, for compounds of formula IA-ii, R¹ and R², taken together is optionally substituted pyrrolidin-1-yl (ff), wherein z is 1 or 2 and R⁴ is Cl, Br, F, CF₃, CH₃, —CH₂CH₃, —OR′, or —CH₂OR′. In still other embodiments, for compounds of formula IA-ii, R¹ and R², taken together is optionally substituted piperidin-1-yl (dd), wherein z is 1 or 2 and at least one occurrence of R⁴ is Cl, Br, F, CF₃, CH₃, —CH₂CH₃, —OR′, or —CH₂OR′, —NRSO₂R′, —NRCOOR′, or —OCON(R′)₂. In certain other embodiments, for compounds of formula IA-ii, R¹ and R², taken together is optionally substituted piperidin-1-yl (dd), wherein z is 1 and R⁴ is F, CF₃, CH₃, —CH₂CH₃, —OR′, or —CH₂OR′. In other embodiments, for compounds of formula IA-ii, R¹ and R², taken together is optionally substituted piperidin-1-yl (dd), wherein z is 1 and R⁴ is —NRSO₂R′. In certain other embodiments, for compounds of formula IA-ii, R¹ and R², taken together is optionally substituted piperidin-1-yl (dd), wherein z is 1 and R⁴ is —NRCOOR′. In yet other embodiments, for compounds of formula IA-ii, R¹ and R², taken together is optionally substituted piperazin-1-yl (cc), wherein z is 1 or 2 and at least one occurrence of R⁴ is —SOR′, —CON(R′)₂, —SO₂N(R′)₂, —COR′, or —COOR′. In certain other embodiments, for compounds of formula IA-ii, R¹ and R², taken together is optionally substituted piperazin-1-yl (cc), wherein z is 1 and R⁴ is —SOR′. In certain other embodiments, for compounds of formula IA-ii, R¹ and R², taken together is optionally substituted piperazin-1-yl (cc), wherein z is 1 and R⁴ is —COOR′. In certain other embodiments, for compounds of formula IA-ii, R¹ and R², taken together is optionally substituted piperazin-1-yl (cc), wherein z is 1 and R⁴ is —CON(R′)₂. In certain other embodiments, for compounds of formula IA-ii, R¹ and R², taken together is optionally substituted piperazin-1-yl (cc), wherein z is 1 and R⁴ is —SO₂N(R′)₂. In certain other embodiments, for compounds of formula IA-ii, R¹ and R², taken together is optionally substituted piperazin-1-yl (cc), wherein z is 1 and R⁴ is —COR′.

For compounds described in this section above, in general, compounds are useful as inhibitors of ion channels, preferably voltage gated sodium channels and N-type calcium channels. In certain exemplary embodiments, compounds of the invention are useful as inhibitors of NaV1.8. In other embodiments, compounds of the invention are useful as inhibitors of NaV1.8 and CaV2.2. In still other embodiments, compounds of the invention are useful as inhibitors of CaV2.2. In yet other embodiments, compounds of the invention are useful as dual inhibitors of NaV1.8 and a TTX-sensitive ion channel such as NaV1.3 or NaV1.7.

II. Compounds of Formula IA-ii

wherein R¹ and R² are each independently an optionally substituted group selected from C₁₋₆aliphatic, Cy¹, wherein Cy¹ is a 5-7-membered monocyclic aryl ring or an 8-10-membered bicyclic aryl ring having 0-3 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, or is a 3-12-membered saturated or partially unsaturated monocyclic ring having 0-3 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, wherein Cy¹ is bonded directly to the nitrogen atom or is bonded through an optionally substituted C₁₋₄aliphatic group, wherein one or more methylene units in the C₁₋₄aliphatic group are optionally replaced with —NR—, —O—, —COO, —OCO—, —NRCO—, —CONR—, —SO₂NR—, or —NRSO₂—; wherein R¹ and R² are each optionally and independently substituted at one or more substitutable carbon, nitrogen, or sulfur atoms with z independent occurrences of —R⁴, wherein z is 0-5;

x is 0-4;

y is 0-4;

each occurrence of R³, R⁴, and R⁵ is independently Q-R^(X); wherein Q is a bond or is a C₁-C₆ alkylidene chain wherein up to two non-adjacent methylene units of Q are optionally and independently replaced by —NR—, —S—, —O—, —CS—, —CO₂—, —OCO—, —CO—, —COCO—, —CONR—, —NRCO—, —NRCO₂—, —SO₂NR—, —NRSO₂—, —CONRNR—, —NRCONR—, —OCONR—, —NRNR—, —NRSO₂NR—, —SO—, —SO₂—, —PO—, —PO₂—, —OP(O)(OR)—, or —POR—; and each occurrence of R^(X) is independently selected from —R′, ═O, ═NR′, halogen, —NO₂, —CN, —OR′, —SR′, —N(R′)₂, —NR′COR′, —NR′CON(R′)₂, —NR′CO₂R′, —COR′, —CO₂R′, —OCOR′, —CON(R′)₂, —OCON(R′)₂, —SOR′, —SO₂R′, —SO₂N(R′)₂, —NR′SO₂R′, —NR′SO₂N(R′)₂, —COCOR′, —COCH₂COR′, —OP(O)(OR′)₂, —P(O)(OR′)₂, —OP(O)₂OR′, —P(O)₂OR′, —PO(R′)₂, or —OPO(R′)₂;

each occurrence of R is independently hydrogen or an optionally substituted C₁₋₆ aliphatic group; and each occurrence of R′ is independently hydrogen or an optionally substituted C₁₋₆ aliphatic group, a 3-8-membered saturated, partially unsaturated, or fully unsaturated monocyclic ring having 0-3 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, or an 8-12 membered saturated, partially unsaturated, or fully unsaturated bicyclic ring system having 0-5 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur; or R and R′, two occurrences of R, or two occurrences of R′, are taken together with the atom(s) to which they are bound to form an optionally substituted 3-12 membered saturated, partially unsaturated, or fully unsaturated monocyclic or bicyclic ring having 0-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur.

In other embodiments Cy¹ is:

In still other embodiments, for compounds described directly above, R¹ is hydrogen or an optionally substituted C₁-C₄aliphatic group and R² is —CHR-Cy¹, wherein R is hydrogen or C₁-C₄alkyl, and Cy¹ is:

In yet other embodiments, R¹ and R² groups are each independently an optionally substituted C₁₋₄aliphatic group and are each independently selected from optionally substituted methyl, ethyl, cyclopropyl, n-propyl, propenyl, cyclobutyl, (CO)OCH₂CH₃, (CH₂)₂OCH₃, CH₂CO)OCH₂CH₃, CH₂(CO)OCH₃, CH(CH₃)CH₂CH₃, or n-butyl.

For compounds described directly above, z is 0-5, and R⁴ groups, when present, are each independently halogen, CN, NO₂, —N(R′)₂, —CH₂N(R′)₂, —OR′, —CH₂OR′, —SR′, —CH₂SR′, —COOR′, —NRCOR′, —CON(R′)₂, —OCON(R′)₂, COR′, —NHCOOR′, —SO₂R′, —SO₂N(R′)₂, or an optionally substituted group selected from C₁-C₆aliphatic, aryl, heteroaryl, cycloaliphatic, heterocycloaliphatic, arylC₁-C₆alkyl, heteroarylC₁-C₆alkyl, cycloaliphaticC₁-C₆alkyl, or heterocycloaliphaticC₁-C₆alkyl.

In other embodiments, z is 0-5 and R⁴ groups are each independently Cl, Br, F, CF₃, CH₃, —CH₂CH₃, CN, —COOH, —N(CH₃)₂, —N(Et)₂, —N(iPr)₂, —O(CH₂)₂OCH₃, —CONH₂, —COOCH₃, —OH, —CH₂OH, —NHCOCH₃, —SO₂NH₂, —SO₂(CH₂)₃CH₃, —SO₂CH(CH₃)₂, —SO₂N(CH₃)₂, —SO₂CH₂CH₃, —C(O)OCH₂CH(CH₃)₂, —C(O)NHCH₂CH(CH₃)₂, —NHCOOCH₃, —C(O)C(CH₃)₃, —COO(CH₂)₂CH₃, —C(O)NHCH(CH₃)₂, —C(O)CH₂CH₃, or an optionally substituted group selected from -piperidinyl, piperizinyl, morpholino, C₁₋₄alkoxy, phenyl, phenyloxy, benzyl, benzyloxy, —CH₂cyclohexyl, pyridyl, —CH₂pyridyl, or —CH₂thiazolyl.

In still other embodiments, for compounds described directly above, x is 0-4, and R³ groups, when present, are each independently halogen, CN, NO₂, —N(R′)₂, —CH₂N(R′)₂, —OR′, —CH₂OR′, —SR′, —CH₂SR′, —COOR′, —NRCOR′, —CON(R′)₂, —OCON(R′)₂, COR′, —NHCOOR′, —SO₂R′, —SO₂N(R′)₂, or an optionally substituted group selected from C₁-C₆aliphatic, aryl, heteroaryl, cycloaliphatic, heterocycloaliphatic, arylC₁-C₆alkyl, heteroarylC₁-C₆alkyl, cycloaliphaticC₁-C₆alkyl, or heterocycloaliphaticC₁-C₆alkyl.

In yet other embodiments, for compounds described directly above, x is 1 or 2, and each occurrence of R³ is independently Cl, Br, F, CF₃, —OCF₃, Me, Et, CN, —COOH, —NH₂, —N(CH₃)₂, —N(Et)₂, —N(iPr)₂, —O(CH₂)₂OCH₃, —CONH₂, —COOCH₃, —OH, —OCH₃, —OCH₂CH₃, —CH₂OH, —NHCOCH₃, —NHCOCH(CH₃)₂, —SO₂NH₂, —CONH(cyclopropyl), —CONHCH₃, —CONHCH₂CH₃, or an optionally substituted group selected from -piperidinyl, piperizinyl, morpholino, phenyl, phenyloxy, benzyl, or benzyloxy.

In still other embodiments, x is 1 or 2 and each R³ group is independently halogen, CN, optionally substituted C₁-C₆alkyl, OR′, N(R′)₂, CON(R′)₂, or NRCOR′.

In yet other embodiments, x is 1 or 2, and each R³ group is —Cl, —CH₃, —CH₂CH₃, —F, —CF₃, —OCF₃, —CONHCH₃, —CONHCH₂CH₃, —CONH(cyclopropyl), —OCH₃, —NH₂, —OCH₂CH₃, or —CN.

In still other embodiments, x is 1 and R³ is at the 6-position of the quinazoline ring and is —Cl, —CH₃, —CH₂CH₃, —F, —CF₃, —OCF₃, —CONHCH₃, —CONHCH₂CH₃, —CONH(cyclopropyl), —OCH₃, —NH₂, —OCH₂CH₃, or —CN.

In yet other embodiments, x is 1 and R³ is at the 7-position of the quinazoline ring and is —Cl, —CH₃, —CH₂CH₃, —F, —CF₃, —OCF₃, —CONHCH₃, —CONHCH₂CH₃, —CONH(cyclopropyl), —OCH₃, —NH₂, —OCH₂CH₃, or —CN.

In still other embodiments, x is 1 and R³ is at the 6-position of the quinazoline ring and is —Cl, —CH₃, —CH₂CH₃, —F, —CF₃, —OCF₃, —OCH₃, or —OCH₂CH₃.

In other embodiments, x is 1 and R³ is at the 7-position of the quinazoline ring and is —Cl, —CH₃, —CH₂CH₃, —F, —CF₃, —OCF₃, —OCH₃, or —OCH₂CH₃.

In yet other embodiments, R³ is at the 6-position of the quinazoline ring and is —CON(R′)₂, or NRCOR′.

In still other embodiments, x is 1 and R³ is at the 7-position of the quinazoline ring and is —CON(R′)₂, or NRCOR′.

For compounds described directly above, y is 0-4 and R⁵, when present, is each independently halogen, CN, NO₂, —N(R′)₂, —CH₂N(R′)₂, —OR′, —CH₂OR′, —SR′, —CH₂SR′, —NRCOR′, —CON(R′)₂, —S(O)₂N(R′)₂, —OCOR′, —COR′, —CO₂R′, —OCON(R′)₂, —NR′SO₂R′, —OP(O)(OR′)₂, —P(O)(OR′)₂, —OP(O)₂OR′, —P(O)₂OR′, —PO(R′)₂, —OPO(R′)₂, or an optionally substituted group selected from C₁-C₆aliphatic, aryl, heteroaryl, cycloaliphatic, heterocycloaliphatic, arylC₁-C₆alkyl, heteroarylC₁-C₆alkyl, cycloaliphaticC₁-C₆alkyl, or heterocycloaliphaticC₁-C₆alkyl.

In other embodiments, y is 0-4 and each occurrence of R⁵ is independently Cl, Br, F, CF₃, Me, Et, CN, —COOH, —NH₂, —N(CH₃)₂, —N(Et)₂, —N(iPr)₂, —O(CH₂)₂OCH₃, —CONH₂, —COOCH₃, —OH, —OCH₃, —OCH₂CH₃, —CH₂OH, —NHCOCH₃, —SO₂NH₂, —SO₂NHC(CH₃)₂, —OCOC(CH₃)₃, —OCOCH₂C(CH₃)₃, —O(CH₂)₂N(CH₃)₂, 4-CH₃-piperazin-1-yl, OCOCH(CH₃)₂, OCO(cyclopentyl), —COCH₃, optionally substituted phenoxy, or optionally substituted benzyloxy.

In still other embodiments, y is 0.

In still other embodiments for compounds of formula IA-ii described directly above:

a) one of R¹ or R² is hydrogen, and the other of R¹ and R² is selected from Cy¹, wherein Cy¹ is bonded directly to the nitrogen atom or is bonded through an optionally substituted C₁₋₄aliphatic group, wherein one or more methylene units in the C₁₋₄aliphatic group are optionally replaced with —NR—, —O—, —COO, —OCO—, —NRCO—, —CONR—, —SO₂NR—, or —NRSO₂—, or an optionally substituted C₁₋₄aliphatic group, wherein one or more methylene units in the C₁₋₄aliphatic group are optionally replaced with —NR—, —O—, —COO, —OCO—, —NRCO—, —CONR—, —SO₂NR—, or —NRSO₂—; or R¹ and R² are each independently selected from an optionally substituted C₁₋₄aliphatic group, wherein one or more methylene units in the C₁₋₄aliphatic group are optionally replaced with —NR—, —O—, —COO, —OCO—, —NRCO—, —CONR—, —SO₂NR—, or —NRSO₂—; or Cy¹ wherein Cy¹ is bonded to the nitrogen atom directly or is bonded through an optionally substituted C₁₋₄aliphatic group, wherein one or more methylene units in the C₁₋₄aliphatic group are optionally replaced with —NR—, —O—, —COO, —OCO—, —NRCO—, —CONR—, —SO₂NR—, or —NRSO₂—;

b) z is 0-5 and R⁴ groups are each independently Cl, Br, F, CF₃, CH₃, —CH₂CH₃, CN, —COOH, —N(CH₃)₂, —N(Et)₂, —N(iPr)₂, —O(CH₂)₂OCH₃, —CONH₂, —COOCH₃, —OH, —CH₂OH, —NHCOCH₃, —SO₂NH₂, —SO₂(CH₂)₃CH₃, —SO₂CH(CH₃)₂, —SO₂N(CH₃)₂, —SO₂CH₂CH₃, —C(O)OCH₂CH(CH₃)₂, —C(O)NHCH₂CH(CH₃)₂, —NHCOOCH₃, —C(O)C(CH₃)₃, —COO(CH₂)₂CH₃, —C(O)NHCH(CH₃)₂, —C(O)CH₂CH₃, or an optionally substituted group selected from -piperidinyl, piperizinyl, morpholino, C₁₋₄alkoxy, phenyl, phenyloxy, benzyl, benzyloxy, —CH₂cyclohexyl, pyridyl, —CH₂pyridyl, or —CH₂thiazolyl;

c) x is 0, 1, or 2, and each occurrence of R³ is independently Cl, Br, F, CF₃, —OCF₃, Me, Et, CN, —COOH, —NH₂, —N(CH₃)₂, —N(Et)₂, —N(iPr)₂, —O(CH₂)₂OCH₃, —CONH₂, —COOCH₃, —OH, —OCH₃, —OCH₂CH₃, —CH₂OH, —NHCOCH₃, —NHCOCH(CH₃)₂, —SO₂NH₂, —CONH(cyclopropyl), —CONHCH₃, —CONHCH₂CH₃, or an optionally substituted group selected from -piperidinyl, piperizinyl, morpholino, phenyl, phenyloxy, benzyl, or benzyloxy; and

d) wherein y is 0-4, and R⁵ groups, when present, are each independently Cl, Br, F, CF₃, Me, Et, CN, —COOH, —NH₂, —N(CH₃)₂, —N(Et)₂, —N(iPr)₂, —O(CH₂)₂OCH₃, —CONH₂, —COOCH₃, —OH, —OCH₃, —OCH₂CH₃, —CH₂OH, —NHCOCH₃, —SO₂NH₂, —SO₂NHC(CH₃)₂, —OCOC(CH₃)₃, —OCOCH₂C(CH₃)₃, —O(CH₂)₂N(CH₃)₂, 4-CH₃-piperazin-1-yl, OCOCH(CH₃)₂, OCO(cyclopentyl), —COCH₃, optionally substituted phenoxy, or optionally substituted benzyloxy.

In other embodiments, for compounds described directly above, x is 1 and R³ is at the 6-position of the quinazoline ring and is —Cl, —CH₃, —CH₂CH₃, —F, —CF₃, —OCF₃, —CONHCH₃, —CONHCH₂CH₃, —CONH(cyclopropyl), —OCH₃, —NH₂, —OCH₂CH₃, or —CN. In yet other embodiments, x is 1 and R³ is at the 7-position of the quinazoline ring and is —Cl, —CH₃, —CH₂CH₃, —F, —CF₃, —OCF₃, —CONHCH₃, —CONHCH₂CH₃, —CONH(cyclopropyl), —OCH₃, —NH₂, —OCH₂CH₃, or —CN. In still other embodiments, x is 1 and R³ is at the 6-position of the quinazoline ring and is —Cl, —CH₃, —CH₂CH₃, —F, —CF₃, —OCF₃, —OCH₃, or —OCH₂CH₃. In still other embodiments, x is 1 and R³ is at the 7-position of the quinazoline ring and is —Cl, —CH₃, —CH₂CH₃, —F, —CF₃, —OCF₃, —OCH₃, or —OCH₂CH₃. In yet other embodiments, x is 1 and R³ is at the 6-position of the quinazoline ring and is —CON(R′)₂, or NRCOR′.

In still other embodiments, x is 1 and R³ is at the 7-position of the quinazoline ring and is —CON(R′)₂, or NRCOR′.

In still other embodiments for compounds of formula IA-ii described above:

a) one of R¹ or R² is hydrogen, and the other of R¹ and R² is selected from Cy¹, wherein Cy¹ is bonded directly to the nitrogen atom or is bonded through an optionally substituted C₁₋₄aliphatic group, wherein one or more methylene units in the C₁₋₄aliphatic group are optionally replaced with —NR—, —O—, —COO, —OCO—, —NRCO—, —CONR—, —SO₂NR—, or —NRSO₂—, or an optionally substituted C₁₋₄aliphatic group, wherein one or more methylene units in the C₁₋₄aliphatic group are optionally replaced with —NR—, —O—, —COO, —OCO—, —NRCO—, —CONR—, —SO₂NR—, or —NRSO₂—; or R¹ and R² are each independently selected from an optionally substituted C₁₋₄aliphatic group, wherein one or more methylene units in the C₁₋₄aliphatic group are optionally replaced with —NR—, —O—, —COO, —OCO—, —NRCO—, —CONR—, —SO₂NR—, or —NRSO₂—; or Cy¹ wherein Cy¹ is bonded to the nitrogen atom directly or is bonded through an optionally substituted C₁₋₄aliphatic group, wherein one or more methylene units in the C₁₋₄aliphatic group are optionally replaced with —NR—, —O—, —COO, —OCO—, —NRCO—, —CONR—, —SO₂NR—, or —NRSO₂—; and Cy¹ is selected from:

or R¹ and R² are each independently an optionally substituted C₁₋₄aliphatic group and are each independently selected from optionally substituted methyl, ethyl, cyclopropyl, n-propyl, propenyl, cyclobutyl, (CO)OCH₂CH₃, (CH₂)₂OCH₃, CH₂CO)OCH₂CH₃, CH₂(CO)OCH₃, CH(CH₃)CH₂CH₃, or n-butyl;

b) z is 0-5 and R⁴ groups are each independently Cl, Br, F, CF₃, CH₃, —CH₂CH₃, CN, —COOH, —N(CH₃)₂, —N(Et)₂, —N(iPr)₂, —O(CH₂)₂OCH₃, —CONH₂, —COOCH₃, —OH, —CH₂OH, —NHCOCH₃, —SO₂NH₂, —SO₂(CH₂)₃CH₃, —SO₂CH(CH₃)₂, —SO₂N(CH₃)₂, —SO₂CH₂CH₃, —C(O)OCH₂CH(CH₃)₂, —C(O)NHCH₂CH(CH₃)₂, —NHCOOCH₃, —C(O)C(CH₃)₃, —COO(CH₂)₂CH₃, —C(O)NHCH(CH₃)₂, —C(O)CH₂CH₃, or an optionally substituted group selected from -piperidinyl, piperizinyl, morpholino, C₁₋₄alkoxy, phenyl, phenyloxy, benzyl, benzyloxy, —CH₂cyclohexyl, pyridyl, —CH₂pyridyl, or —CH₂thiazolyl;

c) x is 0, 1, or 2, and each occurrence of R³ is independently Cl, Br, F, CF₃, —OCF₃, Me, Et, CN, —COOH, —NH₂, —N(CH₃)₂, —N(Et)₂, —N(iPr)₂, —O(CH₂)₂OCH₃, —CONH₂, —COOCH₃, —OH, —OCH₃, —OCH₂CH₃, —CH₂OH, —NHCOCH₃, —NHCOCH(CH₃)₂, —SO₂NH₂, —CONH(cyclopropyl), —CONHCH₃, —CONHCH₂CH₃, or an optionally substituted group selected from -piperidinyl, piperizinyl, morpholino, phenyl, phenyloxy, benzyl, or benzyloxy;

d) wherein y is 0-4, and R⁵ groups, when present, are each independently Cl, Br, F, CF₃, Me, Et, CN, —COON, —NH₂, —N(CH₃)₂, —N(Et)₂, —N(iPr)₂, —O(CH₂)₂OCH₃, —CONH₂, —COOCH₃, —OH, —OCH₃, —OCH₂CH₃, —CH₂OH, —NHCOCH₃, —SO₂NH₂, —SO₂NHC(CH₃)₂, —OCOC(CH₃)₃, —OCOCH₂C(CH₃)₃, —O(CH₂)₂N(CH₃)₂, OCOCH(CH₃)₂, OCO(cyclopentyl), —COCH₃, optionally substituted phenoxy, or optionally substituted benzyloxy; and

e) R^(5a) is Cl, F, CF₃, Me, Et, —OH, —OCH₃, —OCH₂CH₃, —CH₂OH, —SO₂NH₂, —SO₂NHC(CH₃)₂, —OCOC(CH₃)₃, —OCOCH₂C(CH₃)₃, —O(CH₂)₂N(CH₃)₂, 4-CH₃-piperazin-1-yl, OCOCH(CH₃)₂, OCO(cyclopentyl), or —COCH₃.

In yet other embodiments for compounds described directly above, x is 1 and R³ is at the 6-position of the quinazoline ring and is —Cl, —CH₃, —CH₂CH₃, —F, —CF₃, —OCF₃, —CONHCH₃, —CONHCH₂CH₃, —CONH(cyclopropyl), —OCH₃, —NH₂, —OCH₂CH₃, or —CN. In still other embodiments, x is 1 and R³ is at the 7-position of the quinazoline ring and is —Cl, —CH₃, —CH₂CH₃, —F, —CF₃, —OCF₃, —CONHCH₃, —CONHCH₂CH₃, —CONH(cyclopropyl), —OCH₃, —NH₂, —OCH₂CH₃, or —CN. In still other embodiments, x is 1 and R³ is at the 6-position of the quinazoline ring and is —Cl, —CH₃, —CH₂CH₃, —F, —CF₃, —OCF₃, —OCH₃, or —OCH₂CH₃. In yet other embodiments, x is 1 and R³ is at the 7-position of the quinazoline ring and is —Cl, —CH₃, —CH₂CH₃, —F, —CF₃, —OCF₃, —OCH₃, or —OCH₂CH₃. In still other embodiments, x is 1 and R³ is at the 6-position of the quinazoline ring and is —CON(R′)₂, or NRCOR′. In yet other embodiments, x is 1 and R³ is at the 7-position of the quinazoline ring and is —CON(R′)₂, or NRCOR′.

In still other embodiments, y is 0.

For compounds described in this section above, in general, compounds are useful as inhibitors of ion channels, preferably voltage gated sodium channels and N-type calcium channels. In certain exemplary embodiments, compounds of the invention are useful as inhibitors of NaV1.8. In other embodiments, compounds of the invention are useful as inhibitors of NaV1.8 and CaV2.2. In still other embodiments, compounds of the invention are useful as inhibitors of CaV2.2. In yet other embodiments, compounds of the invention are useful as dual inhibitors of NaV1.8 and a TTX-sensitive ion channel such as NaV1.3 or NaV1.7.

III. Compounds of Formula IA-i

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof,

wherein R¹ and R² are each independently an optionally substituted group selected from C₁₋₆aliphatic, Cy¹, wherein Cy¹ is a 5-7-membered monocyclic aryl ring or an 8-10-membered bicyclic aryl ring having 0-3 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, or is a 3-12-membered saturated or partially unsaturated monocyclic ring having 0-3 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, wherein Cy¹ is bonded directly to the nitrogen atom or is bonded through an optionally substituted C₁₋₄aliphatic group, wherein one or more methylene units in the C₁₋₄aliphatic group are optionally replaced with —NR—, —O—, —COO, —OCO—, —NRCO—, —CONR—, —SO₂NR—, or —NRSO₂—; wherein R¹ and R², are each optionally and independently substituted at one or more substitutable carbon, nitrogen, or sulfur atoms with z independent occurrences of —R⁴, wherein z is 0-5;

x is 1 and R³ is substituted at either the 6- or 7-position of the quinazoline ring;

y is 0-4;

each occurrence of R³, R⁴, and R⁵ is independently Q-R^(X); wherein Q is a bond or is a C₁-C₆ alkylidene chain wherein up to two non-adjacent methylene units of Q are optionally and independently replaced by —NR—, —S—, —O—, —CS—, —CO₂—, —OCO—, —CO—, —COCO—, —CONR—, —NRCO—, —NRCO₂—, —SO₂NR—, —NRSO₂—, —CONRNR—, —NRCONR—, —OCONR—, —NRNR—, —NRSO₂NR—, —SO—, —SO₂—, —PO—, —PO₂—, —OP(O)(OR)—, or —POR—; and each occurrence of R^(X) is independently selected from —R′, ═O, ═NR′, halogen, —NO₂, —CN, —OR′, —SR′, —N(R′)₂, —NR′COR′, —NR′CON(R′)₂, —NR′CO₂R′, —COR′, —CO₂R′, —OCOR′, —CON(R′)₂, —OCON(R′)₂, —SOR′, —SO₂R′, —SO₂N(R′)₂, —NR′SO₂R′, —NR′SO₂N(R′)₂, —COCOR′, —COCH₂COR′, —OP(O)(OR′)₂, —P(O)(OR′)₂, —OP(O)₂OR′, —P(O)₂OR′, —PO(R′)₂, or —OPO(R′)₂; and

each occurrence of R is independently hydrogen or an optionally substituted C₁₋₆ aliphatic group; and each occurrence of R′ is independently hydrogen or an optionally substituted C₁₋₆ aliphatic group, a 3-8-membered saturated, partially unsaturated, or fully unsaturated monocyclic ring having 0-3 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, or an 8-12 membered saturated, partially unsaturated, or fully unsaturated bicyclic ring system having 0-5 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur; or R and R′, two occurrences of R, or two occurrences of R′, are taken together with the atom(s) to which they are bound to form an optionally substituted 3-12 membered saturated, partially unsaturated, or fully unsaturated monocyclic or bicyclic ring having 0-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur.

In certain embodiments, for compounds described directly above:

a) when R³ is at the 7-position of the quinazoline ring then:

-   -   i) when R³ is Cl or Me, ring A is unsubstituted naphthyl, and R¹         is hydrogen, then R² is not —(CH₂)₃NMe₂;     -   ii) when R³ is Cl, the sum of q and y is 1 and the phenyl ring         is substituted at the 4-position with Br, and R¹ is hydrogen,         then R² is not Cy¹, wherein Cy¹ is bonded to the nitrogen atom         through an optionally substituted C₁₋₄aliphatic group, wherein         one or more methylene units in the C₁₋₄aliphatic group are         optionally replaced with —NR—, —O—, —COO, —OCO—, —NRCO—, —CONR—,         —SO₂NR—, or —NRSO₂—;     -   iii) when R³ is Cl or OMe, the sum of q and y is 1 and the         phenyl ring is substituted at the 4-position with either OMe or         Cl, and R¹ is hydrogen, then R² is not —CH(CH₃)(CH₂)₃N(Et)₂;     -   iv) when R³ is Me, OMe, or NO², and q and y are 0, then R¹ and         R² are not both methyl;     -   v) when R³ is OMe, q and y are 0, and R¹ is hydrogen, then R² is         not —SO₂(4-Me-phenyl);     -   vi) when R³ is F, the sum of q and y is 1 and the phenyl ring is         substituted at the 2-position with Cl, and R¹ is hydrogen, then         R² is not —(CH₂)morpholino; and

b) a) when R³ is at the 6-position of the quinazoline ring then:

-   -   i) when R³ is NH₂, Me, Cl, Br, —NHAc, the sum of q and y is 1         and the phenyl ring is substituted at the 4-position with F, or         ring A is naphthyl, and R¹ is hydrogen, then R² is not         —(CH₃)₃-4N(R′)₂;     -   ii) when R³ is —OCH₂Ph, or OH, and q and y are 0, then when R¹         is hydrogen, R² is not Me, nBu, or —(CH₂)₂-morpholino, or R¹ and         R² are not simultaneously Me or Et;     -   iii) when R³ is Me or Cl, and the sum of q and y are 1, then the         phenyl ring is not substituted in the 4-position with Br;     -   iv) when R³ is Cl, q and y are 0, and R¹ is hydrogen, then R² is         not —SO₂(4-Me-phenyl);     -   v) when R³ is OMe, and q and y are 0, and R¹ is hydrogen, then         R² is not —CH₂CH₂OH or —CH₂CH₂pyrrolidinyl;     -   vi) when R³ is Cl or Br, the sum of q and y is 1, and the phenyl         ring is substituted in the 4-position with —CH₂PO(OR′)₂, then R¹         is not hydrogen when R² is —Me, or R¹ and R² are not         simultaneously Me or Et;     -   vii) when R³ is OH and q and y are 0, then R¹ and R² are not         simultaneously —CH₂CH₂OMe;     -   viii) when R₃ is Cl, the sum of q and y is 1 and the phenyl ring         is substituted in the 2-position with OnPr, and R¹ is hydrogen,         then R² is not —CH₂(1,3-benzodioxol);     -   ix) when R³ is OMe, OH, Br, C₁, NO₂, Me, and q and y are 0, then         when R¹ is hydrogen, R² is not Me, —CH₂CH₂COOMe, —CH₂COOMe, or         —(CH₂)₃CH₃, or R¹ and R² are not simultaneously Me; and

x) when R³ is Cl, the sum of q and y is 1 and the phenyl ring is substituted in the 4-position with Cl, then R¹ and R² are not simultaneously Me or iPr.

In certain other embodiments, for compounds described directly above:

a) one of R¹ or R² is hydrogen, and the other of R¹ and R² is selected from:

-   -   i) Cy¹ wherein Cy¹ is bonded directly to the nitrogen atom or is         bonded through an optionally substituted C₁₋₄aliphatic group,         wherein one or more methylene units in the C₁₋₄aliphatic group         are optionally replaced with —NR—, —O—, —COO, —OCO—, —NRCO—,         —CONR—, —SO₂NR—, or —NRSO₂—; or     -   ii) an optionally substituted C₁₋₄aliphatic group, wherein one         or more methylene units in the C₁₋₄aliphatic group are         optionally replaced with —NR—, —O—, —COO, —OCO—, —NRCO—, —CONR—,         —SO₂NR—, or —NRSO₂—; or

b) R¹ and R² are each independently selected from Cy¹, wherein Cy¹ is bonded directly to the nitrogen atom or is bonded through an optionally substituted C₁₋₄aliphatic group, wherein one or more methylene units in the C₁₋₄aliphatic group are optionally replaced with —NR—, —O—, —COO, —OCO—, —NRCO—, —CONR—, —SO₂NR—, or —NRSO₂—; or an optionally substituted C₁₋₄aliphatic group, wherein one or more methylene units in the C₁₋₄aliphatic group are optionally replaced with —NR—, —O—, —COO—, —OCO—, —NRCO—, —CONR—, —SO₂NR—, or —NRSO₂—.

In still other embodiments, Cy¹ is:

In yet other embodiments, R¹ is hydrogen or an optionally substituted C₁-C₄aliphatic group and R² is —CHR-Cy¹, wherein R is hydrogen or C₁-C₄alkyl, and Cy¹ is:

In yet other embodiments, R¹ and R² groups are each independently an optionally substituted C₁₋₄aliphatic group and are each independently selected from optionally substituted methyl, ethyl, cyclopropyl, n-propyl, propenyl, cyclobutyl, (CO)OCH₂CH₃, (CH₂)₂OCH₃, CH₂CO)OCH₂CH₃, CH₂(CO)OCH₃, CH(CH₃)CH₂CH₃, or n-butyl.

In still other embodiments, for compounds described directly above, z is 0-5, and R⁴ groups, when present, are each independently halogen, CN, NO₂, —N(R′)₂, —CH₂N(R′)₂, —OR′, —CH₂OR′, —SR′, —CH₂SR′, —COOR′, —NRCOR′, —CON(R′)₂, —OCON(R′)₂, COR′, —NHCOOR′, —SO₂R′, —SO₂N(R′)₂, or an optionally substituted group selected from C₁-C₆aliphatic, aryl, heteroaryl, cycloaliphatic, heterocycloaliphatic, arylC₁-C₆alkyl, heteroarylC₁-C₆alkyl, cycloaliphaticC₁-C₆alkyl, or heterocycloaliphaticC₁-C₆alkyl.

In yet other embodiments, z is 0-5 and R⁴ groups are each independently Cl, Br, F, CF₃, CH₃, —CH₂CH₃, CN, —COOH, —N(CH₃)₂, —N(Et)₂, —N(iPr)₂, —O(CH₂)₂OCH₃, —CONH₂, —COOCH₃, —OH, —CH₂OH, —NHCOCH₃, —SO₂NH₂, —SO₂(CH₂)₃CH₃, —SO₂CH(CH₃)₂, —SO₂N(CH₃)₂, —SO₂CH₂CH₃, —C(O)OCH₂CH(CH₃)₂, —C(O)NHCH₂CH(CH₃)₂, —NHCOOCH₃, —C(O)C(CH₃)₃, —COO(CH₂)₂CH₃, —C(O)NHCH(CH₃)₂, —C(O)CH₂CH₃, or an optionally substituted group selected from -piperidinyl, piperizinyl, morpholino, C₁₋₄alkoxy, phenyl, phenyloxy, benzyl, benzyloxy, —CH₂cyclohexyl, pyridyl, —CH₂pyridyl, or —CH₂thiazolyl.

In still other embodiments, for compounds described directly above, R³ is halogen, CN, NO₂, —N(R′)₂, —CH₂N(R′)₂, —OR′, —CH₂OR′, —SR′, —CH₂SR′, —COOR′, —NRCOR′, —CON(R′)₂, —OCON(R′)₂, COR′, —NHCOOR′, —SO₂R′, —SO₂N(R′)₂, or an optionally substituted group selected from C₁-C₆aliphatic, aryl, heteroaryl, cycloaliphatic, heterocycloaliphatic, arylC₁-C₆alkyl, heteroarylC₁-C₆alkyl, cycloaliphaticC₁-C₆alkyl, or heterocycloaliphaticC₁-C₆alkyl.

In yet other embodiments, R³ is Cl, Br, F, CF₃, —OCF₃, Me, Et, CN, —COON, —NH₂, —N(CH₃)₂, —N(Et)₂, —N(iPr)₂, —O(CH₂)₂OCH₃, —CONH₂, —COOCH₃, —OH, —OCH₃, —OCH₂CH₃, —CH₂OH, —NHCOCH₃, —NHCOCH(CH₃)₂, —SO₂NH₂, —CONH(cyclopropyl), —CONHCH₃, —CONHCH₂CH₃, or an optionally substituted group selected from -piperidinyl, piperizinyl, morpholino, phenyl, phenyloxy, benzyl, or benzyloxy.

In still other embodiments, R³ is halogen, CN, optionally substituted C₁-C₆alkyl, OR′, N(R′)₂, CON(R′)₂, or NRCOR′. In yet other embodiments, R³ is —Cl, —CH₃, —CH₂CH₃, —F, —CF₃, —OCF₃, —CONHCH₃, —CONHCH₂CH₃, —CONH(cyclopropyl), —OCH₃, —NH₂, —OCH₂CH₃, or —CN. In still other embodiments, R³ is at the 6-position of the quinazoline ring and is —Cl, —CH₃, —CH₂CH₃, —F, —CF₃, —OCF₃, —CONHCH₃, —CONHCH₂CH₃, —CONH(cyclopropyl), —OCH₃, —NH₂, —OCH₂CH₃, or —CN. In yet other embodiments, R³ is at the 7-position of the quinazoline ring and is —Cl, —CH₃, —CH₂CH₃, —F, —CF₃, —OCF₃, —CONHCH₃, —CONHCH₂CH₃, —CONH(cyclopropyl), —OCH₃, —NH₂, —OCH₂CH₃, or —CN. In still other embodiments, R³ is at the 6-position of the quinazoline ring and is —Cl, —CH₃, —CH₂CH₃, —F, —CF₃, —OCF₃, —OCH₃, or —OCH₂CH₃. In yet other embodiments, R³ is at the 7-position of the quinazoline ring and is —Cl, —CH₃, —CH₂CH₃, —F, —CF₃, —OCF₃, —OCH₃, or —OCH₂CH₃. In still other embodiments, R³ is at the 6-position of the quinazoline ring and is —CON(R′)₂, or NRCOR′. In still other embodiments, R³ is at the 7-position of the quinazoline ring and is —CON(R′)₂, or NRCOR′.

In still other embodiments for compounds described directly above, y is 0-5 and R⁵, when present, is each independently halogen, CN, NO₂, —N(R′)₂, —CH₂N(R′)₂, —OR′, —CH₂OR′, —SR′, —CH₂SR′, —NRCOR′, —CON(R′)₂, —S(O)₂N(R′)₂, —OCOR′, —COR′, —CO₂R′, —OCON(R′)₂, —NR′SO₂R′, —OP(O)(OR′)₂, —P(O)(OR′)₂, —OP(O)₂OR′, —P(O)₂OR′, —PO(R′)₂, —OPO(R′)₂, or an optionally substituted group selected from C₁-C₆aliphatic, aryl, heteroaryl, cycloaliphatic, heterocycloaliphatic, arylC₁-C₆alkyl, heteroarylC₁-C₆alkyl, cycloaliphaticC₁-C₆alkyl, or heterocycloaliphaticC₁-C₆alkyl.

In yet other embodiments, y is 0-5 and each occurrence of R⁵ is independently Cl, Br, F, CF₃, Me, Et, CN, —COOH, —NH₂, —N(CH₃)₂, —N(Et)₂, —N(iPr)₂, —O(CH₂)₂OCH₃, —CONH₂, —COOCH₃, —OH, —OCH₃, —OCH₂CH₃, —CH₂OH, —NHCOCH₃, —SO₂NH₂, —SO₂NHC(CH₃)₂, —OCOC(CH₃)₃, —OCOCH₂C(CH₃)₃, —O(CH₂)₂N(CH₃)₂, 4-CH₃-piperazin-1-yl, OCOCH(CH₃)₂, OCO(cyclopentyl), —COCH₃, optionally substituted phenoxy, or optionally substituted benzyloxy.

In still other embodiments, y is 0.

In still other embodiments, the compounds have formula III:

In certain embodiments, for compounds described above,

a) R¹ and R² are each independently an optionally substituted group selected from C₁₋6aliphatic, Cy¹, wherein Cy¹ is a 5-7-membered monocyclic aryl ring or an 8-10-membered bicyclic aryl ring having 0-3 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, or is a 3-12-membered saturated or partially unsaturated monocyclic ring having 0-3 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, wherein Cy¹ is bonded directly to the nitrogen atom or is bonded through an optionally substituted C₁₋₄aliphatic group, wherein one or more methylene units in the C₁₋₄aliphatic group are optionally replaced with —NR—, —O—, —COO, —OCO—, —NRCO—, —CONR—, —SO₂NR—, or —NRSO₂—; wherein R¹ and R², are each optionally and independently substituted at one or more substitutable carbon, nitrogen, or sulfur atoms with z independent occurrences of —R⁴, wherein z is 0-5;

b) z is 0-5 and R⁴ groups are each independently Cl, Br, F, CF₃, CH₃, —CH₂CH₃, CN, —COOH, —N(CH₃)₂, —N(Et)₂, —N(iPr)₂, —O(CH₂)₂OCH₃, —CONH₂, —COOCH₃, —OH, —CH₂OH, —NHCOCH₃, —SO₂NH₂, —SO₂(CH₂)₃CH₃, —SO₂CH(CH₃)₂, —SO₂N(CH₃)₂, —SO₂CH₂CH₃, —C(O)OCH₂CH(CH₃)₂, —C(O)NHCH₂CH(CH₃)₂, —NHCOOCH₃, —C(O)C(CH₃)₃, —COO(CH₂)₂CH₃, —C(O)NHCH(CH₃)₂, —C(O)CH₂CH₃, or an optionally substituted group selected from -piperidinyl, piperizinyl, morpholino, C₁₋₄alkoxy, phenyl, phenyloxy, benzyl, benzyloxy, —CH₂cyclohexyl, pyridyl, —CH₂pyridyl, or —CH₂thiazolyl; and

c) R³ is Cl, Br, F, CF₃, —OCF₃, Me, Et, CN, —COOH, —NH₂, —N(CH₃)₂, —N(Et)₂, —N(iPr)₂, —O(CH₂)₂OCH₃, —CONH₂, —COOCH₃, —OH, —OCH₃, —OCH₂CH₃, —CH₂OH, —NHCOCH₃, —NHCOCH(CH₃)₂, —SO₂NH₂, —CONH(cyclopropyl), —CONHCH₃, —CONHCH₂CH₃, or an optionally substituted group selected from -piperidinyl, piperizinyl, morpholino, phenyl, phenyloxy, benzyl, or benzyloxy.

In certain other embodiments, for compounds described directly above R³ is —Cl, —CH₃, —CH₂CH₃, —F, —CF₃, —OCF₃, —CONHCH₃, —CONHCH₂CH₃, —CONH(cyclopropyl), —OCH₃, —NH₂, —OCH₂CH₃, or —CN. In still other embodiments, R³ is —CH₃, —CH₂CH₃, —F, —CF₃, —OCF₃, —OCH₃, or —OCH₂CH₃. In yet other embodiments, R³ is —CON(R′)₂, or NRCOR′. In still other embodiments, R^(5a) is Cl, F, CF₃, Me, Et, —OH, —OCH₃, —OCH₂CH₃.

In certain other embodiments, for compounds described directly above:

a) Cy¹ is:

or R¹ and R² are each independently an optionally substituted C₁₋₄aliphatic group and are each independently selected from optionally substituted methyl, ethyl, cyclopropyl, n-propyl, propenyl, cyclobutyl, (CO)OCH₂CH₃, (CH₂)₂OCH₃, CH₂CO)OCH₂CH₃, CH₂(CO)OCH₃, CH(CH₃)CH₂CH₃, or n-butyl;

b) z is 0-5 and R⁴ groups are each independently Cl, Br, F, CF₃, CH₃, —CH₂CH₃, CN, —COOH, —N(CH₃)₂, —N(Et)₂, —N(iPr)₂, —O(CH₂)₂OCH₃, —CONH₂, —COOCH₃, —OH, —CH₂OH, —NHCOCH₃, —SO₂NH₂, —SO₂(CH₂)₃CH₃, —SO₂CH(CH₃)₂, —SO₂N(CH₃)₂, —SO₂CH₂CH₃, —C(O)OCH₂CH(CH₃)₂, —C(O)NHCH₂CH(CH₃)₂, —NHCOOCH₃, —C(O)C(CH₃)₃, —COO(CH₂)₂CH₃, —C(O)NHCH(CH₃)₂, —C(O)CH₂CH₃, or an optionally substituted group selected from -piperidinyl, piperizinyl, morpholino, C₁₋₄alkoxy, phenyl, phenyloxy, benzyl, benzyloxy, —CH₂cyclohexyl, pyridyl, —CH₂pyridyl, or —CH₂thiazolyl; and

c) R³ is Cl, Br, F, CF₃, —OCF₃, Me, Et, CN, —COOH, —NH₂, —N(CH₃)₂, —N(Et)₂, —N(iPr)₂, —O(CH₂)₂OCH₃, —CONH₂, —COOCH₃, —OH, —OCH₃, —OCH₂CH₃, —CH₂OH, —NHCOCH₃, —NHCOCH(CH₃)₂, —SO₂NH₂, —CONH(cyclopropyl), —CONHCH₃, —CONHCH₂CH₃, or an optionally substituted group selected from -piperidinyl, piperizinyl, morpholino, phenyl, phenyloxy, benzyl, or benzyloxy.

In certain embodiments, for compounds described directly above R³ is —Cl, —CH₃, —CH₂CH₃, —F, —CF₃, —OCF₃, —CONHCH₃, —CONHCH₂CH₃, —CONH(cyclopropyl), —OCH₃, —NH₂, —OCH₂CH₃, or —CN. In other embodiments, R³ is —Cl, —CH₃, —CH₂CH₃, —F, —CF₃, —OCF₃, —OCH₃, or —OCH₂CH₃.

In yet other embodiments, R³ is substituted at the 7-position of the quinazoline ring, q is 1, and y is 0, and compounds have formula IV:

a) wherein R¹ and R² are each independently an optionally substituted group selected from C₁₋₆aliphatic, Cy¹, wherein Cy¹ is a 5-7-membered monocyclic aryl ring or an 8-10-membered bicyclic aryl ring having 0-3 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, or is a 3-12-membered saturated or partially unsaturated monocyclic ring having 0-3 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, wherein Cy¹ is bonded directly to the nitrogen atom or is bonded through an optionally substituted C₁₋₄aliphatic group, wherein one or more methylene units in the C₁₋₄aliphatic group are optionally replaced with —NR—, —O—, —COO, —OCO—, —NRCO—, —CONR—, —SO₂NR—, or —NRSO₂—; wherein R¹ and R², are each optionally and independently substituted at one or more substitutable carbon, nitrogen, or sulfur atoms with z independent occurrences of —R⁴, wherein z is 0-5;

b) z is 0-5 and R⁴ groups are each independently Cl, Br, F, CF₃, CH₃, —CH₂CH₃, CN, —COOH, —N(CH₃)₂, —N(Et)₂, —N(iPr)₂, —O(CH₂)₂OCH₃, —CONH₂, —COOCH₃, —OH, —CH₂OH, —NHCOCH₃, —SO₂NH₂, —SO₂(CH₂)₃CH₃, —SO₂CH(CH₃)₂, —SO₂N(CH₃)₂, —SO₂CH₂CH₃, —C(O)OCH₂CH(CH₃)₂, —C(O)NHCH₂CH(CH₃)₂, —NHCOOCH₃, —C(O)C(CH₃)₃, —COO(CH₂)₂CH₃, —C(O)NHCH(CH₃)₂, —C(O)CH₂CH₃, or an optionally substituted group selected from -piperidinyl, piperizinyl, morpholino, C₁₋₄alkoxy, phenyl, phenyloxy, benzyl, benzyloxy, —CH₂cyclohexyl, pyridyl, —CH₂pyridyl, or —CH₂thiazolyl; and

c) R³ is Cl, Br, F, CF₃, —OCF₃, Me, Et, CN, —COOH, —NH₂, —N(CH₃)₂, —N(Et)₂, —N(iPr)₂, —O(CH₂)₂OCH₃, —CONH₂, —COOCH₃, —OH, —OCH₃, —OCH₂CH₃, —CH₂OH, —NHCOCH₃, —NHCOCH(CH₃)₂, —SO₂NH₂, —CONH(cyclopropyl), —CONHCH₃, —CONHCH₂CH₃, or an optionally substituted group selected from -piperidinyl, piperizinyl, morpholino, phenyl, phenyloxy, benzyl, or benzyloxy.

In certain embodiments, for compounds described directly above, R³ is —Cl, —CH₃, —CH₂CH₃, —F, —CF₃, —OCF₃, —CONHCH₃, —CONHCH₂CH₃, —CONH(cyclopropyl), —OCH₃, —NH₂, —OCH₂CH₃, or —CN. In other embodiments, R³ is —Cl, —CH₃, —CH₂CH₃, —F, —CF₃, —OCF₃, —OCH₃, or —OCH₂CH₃. In still other embodiments, R³ is —CON(R′)₂, or NRCOR′.

In certain other embodiments, for compounds described directly above:

a) Cy¹ is:

or R¹ and R² are each independently an optionally substituted C₁₋₄aliphatic group and are each independently selected from optionally substituted methyl, ethyl, cyclopropyl, n-propyl, propenyl, cyclobutyl, (CO)OCH₂CH₃, (CH₂)₂OCH₃, CH₂CO)OCH₂CH₃, CH₂(CO)OCH₃, CH(CH₃)CH₂CH₃, or n-butyl;

b) z is 0-5 and R⁴ groups are each independently, Cl, Br, F, CF₃, CH₃, —CH₂CH₃, CN, —COON, —N(CH₃)₂, —N(Et)₂, —N(iPr)₂, —O(CH₂)₂OCH₃, —CONH₂, —COOCH₃, —OH, —CH₂OH, —NHCOCH₃, —SO₂NH₂, —SO₂(CH₂)₃CH₃, —SO₂CH(CH₃)₂, —SO₂N(CH₃)₂, —SO₂CH₂CH₃, —C(O)OCH₂CH(CH₃)₂, —C(O)NHCH₂CH(CH₃)₂, —NHCOOCH₃, —C(O)C(CH₃)₃, —COO(CH₂)₂CH₃, —C(O)NHCH(CH₃)₂, —C(O)CH₂CH₃, or an optionally substituted group selected from -piperidinyl, piperizinyl, morpholino, C₁₋₄ alkoxy, phenyl, phenyloxy, benzyl, benzyloxy, —CH₂cyclohexyl, pyridyl, —CH₂pyridyl, or —CH₂thiazolyl; and

c) R³ is Cl, Br, F, CF₃, —OCF₃, Me, Et, CN, —COOH, —NH₂, μN(CH₃)₂, —N(Et)₂, —N(iPr)₂, —O(CH₂)₂OCH₃, —CONH₂, —COOCH₃, —OH, —OCH₃, —OCH₂CH₃, —CH₂OH, —NHCOCH₃, —NHCOCH(CH₃)₂, —SO₂NH₂, —CONH(cyclopropyl), —CONHCH₃, —CONHCH₂CH₃, or an optionally substituted group selected from -piperidinyl, piperizinyl, morpholino, phenyl, phenyloxy, benzyl, or benzyloxy.

In certain other embodiments, for compounds described directly above R³ is —Cl, —CH₃, —CH₂CH₃, —F, —CF₃, —OCF₃, —CONHCH₃, —CONHCH₂CH₃, —CONH(cyclopropyl), —OCH₃, —NH₂, —OCH₂CH₃, or —CN. In other embodiments, R³ is —Cl, —CH₃, —CH₂CH₃, —F, —CF₃, —OCF₃, —OCH₃, or —OCH₂CH₃. In still other embodiments, R³ is —CON(R′)₂, or NRCOR′.

For compounds described in this section above, in general, compounds are useful as inhibitors of ion channels, preferably voltage gated sodium channels and N-type calcium channels. In certain exemplary embodiments, compounds of the invention are useful as inhibitors of NaV1.8. In other embodiments, compounds of the invention are useful as inhibitors of NaV1.8 and CaV2.2. In still other embodiments, compounds of the invention are useful as inhibitors of CaV2.2. In yet other embodiments, compounds of the invention are useful as dual inhibitors of NaV1.8 and a TTX-sensitive ion channel such as NaV1.3 or NaV1.7.

V. Compounds of Formula I-B-i

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof,

wherein R′ is selected from C₁₋₆aliphatic, Cy¹, wherein Cy¹ is a 5-7-membered monocyclic aryl ring or an 8-10-membered bicyclic aryl ring having 0-3 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, or is a 3-12-membered saturated or partially unsaturated monocyclic ring having 0-3 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, wherein Cy¹ is bonded directly to the nitrogen atom or is bonded through an optionally substituted C₁₋₄aliphatic group, wherein one or more methylene units in the C₁₋₄aliphatic group are optionally replaced with —NR—, —O—, —COO, —OCO—, —NRCO—, —CONR—, —SO₂NR—, or —NRSO₂—; wherein R′ is optionally substituted at one or more substitutable carbon, nitrogen, or sulfur atoms with z independent occurrences of —R⁴, wherein z is 0-5;

x is 0-4;

y is 0-4;

each occurrence of R³, R⁴, and R⁵ is independently Q-R^(X); wherein Q is a bond or is a C₁-C₆ alkylidene chain wherein up to two non-adjacent methylene units of Q are optionally and independently replaced by —NR—, —S—, —O—, —CS—, —CO₂—, —OCO—, —CO—, —COCO—, —CONR—, —NRCO—, —NRCO₂—, —SO₂NR—, —NRSO₂—, —CONRNR—, —NRCONR—, —OCONR—, —NRNR—, —NRSO₂NR—, —SO—, —SO₂—, —PO—, —PO₂—, —OP(O)(OR)—, or —POR—; and each occurrence of R^(X) is independently selected from —R′, ═O, ═NR′, halogen, —NO₂, —CN, —OR′, —SR′, —N(R′)₂, —NR′COR′, —NR′CON(R′)₂, —NR′CO₂R′, —COR′, —CO₂R′, —OCOR′, —CON(R′)₂, —OCON(R′)₂, —SOR′, —SO₂R′, —SO₂N(R′)₂, —NR′SO₂R′, —NR′SO₂N(R′)₂, —COCOR′, —COCH₂COR′, —OP(O)(OR′)₂, —P(O)(OR′)₂, —OP(O)₂OR′, —P(O)₂OR′, —PO(R′)₂, or —OPO(R′)₂; and

each occurrence of R is independently hydrogen or an optionally substituted C₁₋₆ aliphatic group; and each occurrence of R′ is independently hydrogen or an optionally substituted C₁₋₆ aliphatic group, a 3-8-membered saturated, partially unsaturated, or fully unsaturated monocyclic ring having 0-3 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, or an 8-12 membered saturated, partially unsaturated, or fully unsaturated bicyclic ring system having 0-5 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur; or R and R′, two occurrences of R, or two occurrences of R′, are taken together with the atom(s) to which they are bound to form an optionally substituted 3-12 membered saturated, partially unsaturated, or fully unsaturated monocyclic or bicyclic ring having 0-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur.

For compounds described directly above, in certain other embodiments,

a) R′ is selected from:

-   -   i) Cy¹ wherein Cy¹ is bonded directly to the nitrogen atom or is         bonded through an optionally substituted C₁₋₄aliphatic group,         wherein one or more methylene units in the C₁₋₄aliphatic group         are optionally replaced with —NR—, —O—, —COO, —OCO—, —NRCO—,         —CONR—, —SO₂NR—, or —NRSO₂—; or     -   ii) an optionally substituted C₁₋₄aliphatic group, wherein one         or more methylene units in the C₁₋₄aliphatic group are         optionally replaced with —NR—, —O—, —COO, —OCO—, —NRCO—, —CONR—,         —SO₂NR—, or —NRSO₂—.

For compounds described directly above, in certain embodiments Cy¹ is,

In other embodiments, R¹ is —CHR-Cy¹, wherein R is hydrogen or C₁-C₄alkyl, and Cy¹ is:

In still other embodiments, R¹ is an optionally substituted C₁₋₄aliphatic group and are each independently selected from optionally substituted methyl, ethyl, cyclopropyl, n-propyl, propenyl, cyclobutyl, (CO)OCH₂CH₃, (CH₂)₂OCH₃, CH₂CO)OCH₂CH₃, CH₂(CO)OCH₃, CH(CH₃)CH₂CH₃, or n-butyl.

In yet other embodiments, z is 0-5, and R⁴ groups, when present, are each independently halogen, CN, NO₂, —N(R′)₂, —CH₂N(R′)₂, —OR′, —CH₂OR′, —SR′, —CH₂SR′, —COOR′, —NRCOR′, —CON(R′)₂, —OCON(R′)₂, COR′, —NHCOOR′, —SO₂R′, —SO₂N(R′)₂, or an optionally substituted group selected from C₁-C₆aliphatic, aryl, heteroaryl, cycloaliphatic, heterocycloaliphatic, arylC₁-C₆alkyl, heteroarylC₁-C₆alkyl, cycloaliphaticC₁-C₆alkyl, or heterocycloaliphaticC₁-C₆alkyl.

In still other embodiments, z is 0-5 and R⁴ groups are each independently Cl, Br, F, CF₃, CH₃, —CH₂CH₃, CN, —COOH, —N(CH₃)₂, —N(Et)₂, —N(iPr)₂, —O(CH₂)₂OCH₃, —CONH₂, —COOCH₃, —OH, —CH₂OH, —NHCOCH₃, —SO₂NH₂, —SO₂(CH₂)₃CH₃, —SO₂CH(CH₃)₂, —SO₂N(CH₃)₂, —SO₂CH₂CH₃, —C(O)OCH₂CH(CH₃)₂, —C(O)NHCH₂CH(CH₃)₂, —NHCOOCH₃, —C(O)C(CH₃)₃, —COO(CH₂)₂CH₃, —C(O)NHCH(CH₃)₂, —C(O)CH₂CH₃, or an optionally substituted group selected from -piperidinyl, piperizinyl, morpholino, C₁₋₄alkoxy, phenyl, phenyloxy, benzyl, benzyloxy, —CH₂cyclohexyl, pyridyl, —CH₂pyridyl, or —CH₂thiazolyl.

In yet other embodiments, R³ is halogen, CN, NO₂, —N(R′)₂, —CH₂N(R′)₂, —OR′, —CH₂OR′, —SR′, —CH₂SR′, —COOR′, —NRCOR′, —CON(R′)₂, —OCON(R′)₂, COR′, —NHCOOR′, —SO₂R′, —SO₂N(R′)₂, or an optionally substituted group selected from C₁-C₆aliphatic, aryl, heteroaryl, cycloaliphatic, heterocycloaliphatic, arylC₁-C₆alkyl, heteroarylC₁-C₆alkyl, cycloaliphaticC₁-C₆alkyl, or heterocycloaliphaticC₁-C₆alkyl.

In still other embodiments, R³ is Cl, Br, F, CF₃, —OCF₃, Me, Et, CN, —COOH, —NH₂, —N(CH₃)₂, —N(Et)₂, —N(iPr)₂, —O(CH₂)₂OCH₃, —CONH₂, —COOCH₃, —OH, —OCH₃, —OCH₂CH₃, CH₂OH, —NHCOCH₃, —NHCOCH(CH₃)₂, —SO₂NH₂, —CONH(cyclopropyl), —CONHCH₃, —CONHCH₂CH₃, or an optionally substituted group selected from -piperidinyl, piperizinyl, morpholino, phenyl, phenyloxy, benzyl, or benzyloxy.

In yet other embodiments, R³ is halogen, CN, optionally substituted C₁-C₆alkyl, OR′, N(R′)₂, CON(R′)₂, or NRCOR′. In still other embodiments, R³ is —Cl, —CH₃, —CH₂CH₃, —F, —CF₃, —OCF₃, —CONHCH₃, —CONHCH₂CH₃, —CONH(cyclopropyl), —OCH₃, —NH₂, —OCH₂CH₃, or —CN. In yet other embodiments, R³ is at the 6-position of the quinazoline ring and is —Cl, —CH₃, —CH₂CH₃, —F, —CF₃, —OCF₃, —CONHCH₃, —CONHCH₂CH₃, —CONH(cyclopropyl), —OCH₃, —NH₂, —OCH₂CH₃, or —CN. In still other embodiments, R³ is at the 7-position of the quinazoline ring and is —Cl, —CH₃, —CH₂CH₃, —F, —CF₃, —OCF₃, —CONHCH₃, —CONHCH₂CH₃, —CONH(cyclopropyl), —OCH₃, —NH₂, —OCH₂CH₃, or —CN. In yet other embodiments, R³ is at the 6-position of the quinazoline ring and is —Cl, —CH₃, —CH₂CH₃, —F, —CF₃, —OCF₃, —OCH₃, or —OCH₂CH₃. In still other embodiments, R³ is at the 7-position of the quinazoline ring and is —Cl, —CH₃, —CH₂CH₃, —F, —CF₃, —OCF₃, —OCH₃, or —OCH₂CH₃. In other embodiments, R³ is at the 6-position of the quinazoline ring and is —CON(R′)₂, or NRCOR′. In yet other embodiments, R³ is at the 7-position of the quinazoline ring and is —CON(R′)₂, or NRCOR′.

In yet other embodiments, for compounds described directly above, y is 0-5 and R⁵, when present, is each independently halogen, CN, NO₂, —N(R′)₂, —CH₂N(R′)₂, —OR′, —CH₂OR′, —SR′, —CH₂SR′, —NRCOR′, —CON(R′)₂, —S(O)₂N(R′)₂, —OCOR′, —COR′, —CO₂R′, —OCON(R′)₂, —NR′SO₂R′, —OP(O)(OR′)₂, —P(O)(OR′)₂, —OP(O)₂OR′, —P(O)₂OR′, —PO(R′)₂, —OPO(R′)₂, or an optionally substituted group selected from C₁-C₆aliphatic, aryl, heteroaryl, cycloaliphatic, heterocycloaliphatic, arylC₁-C₆alkyl, heteroarylC₁-C₆alkyl, cycloaliphaticC₁-C₆alkyl, or heterocycloaliphaticC₁-C₆alkyl.

In still other embodiments, y is 0-5 and each occurrence of R⁵ is independently Cl, Br, F, CF₃, Me, Et, CN, —COOH, —NH₂, —N(CH₃)₂, —N(Et)₂, —N(iPr)₂, —O(CH₂)₂OCH₃, —CONH₂, —COOCH₃, —OH, —OCH₃, —OCH₂CH₃, —CH₂OH, —NHCOCH₃, —SO₂NH₂, —SO₂NHC(CH₃)₂, —OCOC(CH₃)₃, —OCOCH₂C(CH₃)₃, —O(CH₂)₂N(CH₃)₂, 4-CH₃-piperazin-1-yl, OCOCH(CH₃)₂, OCO(cyclopentyl), —COCH₃, optionally substituted phenoxy, or optionally substituted benzyloxy.

In still other embodiments, y is 0.

For compounds described in this section above, in general, compounds are useful as inhibitors of ion channels, preferably voltage gated sodium channels and N-type calcium channels. In certain exemplary embodiments, compounds of the invention are useful as inhibitors of NaV1.8. In other embodiments, compounds of the invention are useful as inhibitors of NaV1.8 and CaV2.2. In still other embodiments, compounds of the invention are useful as inhibitors of CaV2.2. In yet other embodiments, compounds of the invention are useful as dual inhibitors of NaV1.8 and a TTX-sensitive ion channel such as NaV1.3 or NaV1.7.

In one embodiment of the present invention, R¹ and R², taken together with the nitrogen atom, form a substituted ring selected from:

wherein, in ring (A):

each of m₁ and n₁ is independently 0-3, provided that m₁+n₁ is 2-6;

z₁ is 0-4;

Sp¹ is —O—, —S—, —NR′—, or a C1-C6 alkylidene linker, wherein up to two methylene units are optionally and independently replaced by —O—, —S—, —CO—, —CS—, —COCO—, —CONR′—, —CONR′NR′—, —CO₂—, —OCO—, —NR′CO₂—, —NR′CONR′—, —OCONR′—, —NR′NR′, —NR′NR′CO—, —NR′CO—, —SO, —SO₂—, —NR′—, —SO₂NR′—, NR′SO₂—, or —NR′SO₂NR′—, provided that Sp¹ is attached to the carbonyl group through an atom other than carbon; ring B¹ is a 4-8 membered, saturated, partially unsaturated, or aromatic, monocyclic heterocyclic ring having 1-4 heteroatoms selected from O, S, or N, wherein ring B¹ is optionally substituted with w₁ independent occurrences of —R¹¹, wherein w₁ is 0-4;

wherein, in ring (B):

G₂ is —N—, or CH;

each of m₂ and n₂ is independently 0-3, provided that m₂+n₂ is 2-6;

p₂ is 0-2; provided that when G₂ is N, then p₂ is not 0;

q₂ is 0 or 1;

z₂ is 0-4;

Sp² is a bond or a C1-C6 alkylidene linker, wherein up to two methylene units are optionally and independently replaced by —O—, —S—, —CO—, —CS—, —COCO—, —CONR′—, —CONR′NR′—, —CO₂—, —OCO—, —NR′CO₂—, —NR′CONR′—, —OCONR′—, —NR′NR′, —NR′NR′CO—, —NR′CO—, —SO, —SO₂—, —NR′—, —SO₂NR′—, NR′SO₂—, or —NR′SO₂NR′—; ring B² is a 4-8 membered, saturated, partially unsaturated, or aromatic, monocyclic heterocyclic ring having 1-4 heteroatoms selected from O, S, or N, wherein ring B is optionally substituted with w independent occurrences of —R¹², wherein w₂ is 0-4; wherein, in ring (C) or ring (D):

G₃ is —N—, —CH—NH—, or —CH—CH₂—NH—;

each of m₃ and n₃ is independently 0-3, provided that m₃+n₃ is 2-6;

p₃ is 0-2;

z₃ is 0-4;

each R^(XX) is hydrogen, C₁₋₆ aliphatic group, a 3-8-membered saturated, partially unsaturated, or fully unsaturated monocyclic ring having 0-3 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, or an 8-12 membered saturated, partially unsaturated, or fully unsaturated bicyclic ring system having 0-5 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur; wherein R^(XX) is optionally substituted with w₃ independent occurrences of —R¹³, wherein w₃ is 0-3;

provided that both R^(XX) are not simultaneously hydrogen;

R^(YY) is hydrogen, —COR′, —CO₂R′, —CON(R′)₂, —SOR′, —SO₂R′, —SO₂N(R′)₂, —COCOR′, —COCH₂COR′, —P(O)(OR′)₂, —P(O)₂OR′, or —PO(R′).

wherein, in ring (E):

each of m₄ and n₄ is independently 0-3, provided that m₄+n₄ is 2-6;

p₄ is 1-2;

z₄ is 0-4;

R^(YZ) is C₁-C₆ aliphatic group, optionally substituted with w₄ independent occurrences of —

R¹⁴, wherein w₄ is 0-3;

x and y, each, is independently 0-4;

each occurrence of R¹¹, R¹², R¹³, R¹⁴, R³, R⁴, and R⁵ is independently Q-R^(X); wherein Q is a bond or is a C₁-C₆ alkylidene chain wherein up to two non-adjacent methylene units of Q are optionally and independently replaced by —NR—, —S—, —O—, —CS—, —CO₂—, —OCO—, —CO—, —COCO—, —CONR—, —NRCO—, —NRCO₂—, —SO₂NR—, —NRSO₂—, —CONRNR—, —NRCONR—, —OCONR—, —NRNR—, —NRSO₂NR—, —SO—, —SO₂—, —PO—, —PO₂—, —OP(O)(OR)—, or —POR—; and each occurrence of R^(X) is independently selected from —R′, halogen, ═O, ═NR′, —NO₂, —CN, —OR′, —SR′, —N(R′)₂, —NR′COR′, —NR′CON(R′)₂, —NR′CO₂R′, —COR′, —CO₂R′, —OCOR′, —CON(R′)₂, —OCON(R′)₂, —SOR′, —SO₂R′, —SO₂N(R′)₂, —NR′SO₂R′, —NR′SO₂N(R′)₂, —COCOR′, —COCH₂COR′, —OP(O)(OR′)₂, —P(O)(OR′)₂, —OP(O)₂OR′, —P(O)₂OR′, —PO(R′)₂, or —OPO(R′)₂; and

each occurrence of R is independently hydrogen or C₁₋₆ aliphatic group having up to three substituents; and each occurrence of R′ is independently hydrogen or C₁₋₆ aliphatic group, a 3-8-membered saturated, partially unsaturated, or fully unsaturated monocyclic ring having 0-3 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, or an 8-12 membered saturated, partially unsaturated, or fully unsaturated bicyclic ring system having 0-5 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, wherein R′ has up to four substituents; or R and R′, two occurrences of R, or two occurrences of R′, are taken together with the atom(s) to which they are bound to form an optionally substituted 3-12 membered saturated, partially unsaturated, or fully unsaturated monocyclic or bicyclic ring having 0-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur.

In one embodiment, the present invention provides compounds of formula I-A:

wherein x, y, n₁, m₁, z₁, R⁴, R⁵, Sp¹, and ring B¹ are as defined above.

In one embodiment, Sp¹ is selected from —O—, —S—, or —NR′—. Or, Sp¹ is —O—. Or, Sp¹ is —O—CH₂—. In another embodiment, Sp¹ is —NR′—. Or, Sp¹ is —NH—. Or, Sp¹ is —NH—CH₂—.

In one embodiment, each of m₁ and n₁ is 1. In another embodiment, each of m₁ and n₁ is 2.

In one embodiment, ring B¹ is a 4-8 membered, saturated, partially unsaturated, or aromatic, monocyclic heterocyclic ring having 1-4 heteroatoms selected from O, S, or N, wherein ring B¹ is optionally substituted with w independent occurrences of —R¹¹, wherein w₁ is 0-4.

In another embodiment, ring B¹ is a 4-8 membered, saturated, monocyclic heterocyclic ring having 1-4 heteroatoms selected from O, S, or N, wherein ring B¹ is optionally substituted with w independent occurrences of —R¹¹, wherein w₁ is 0-4.

In yet another embodiment, ring B¹ is a 5-6 membered, saturated, monocyclic heterocyclic ring having 1-2 heteroatoms selected from O, S, or N, wherein ring B¹ is optionally substituted with w independent occurrences of —R¹¹, wherein w₁ is 0-4.

In one embodiment, w₁ is 0.

In another embodiment, ring B¹ is tetrahydrofuranyl.

In yet another embodiment, Sp¹ is a bond, O, or —O—CH₂—; R is hydrogen; and n₁ and m₁ are both simultaneously 1 or 2.

In one embodiment, R is hydrogen. Or, R is C1-C6 alkyl. Preferred R include methyl, ethyl, propyl, or butyl.

In another embodiment, z₁ is 0.

According to another embodiment, ring B¹ is tetrahydrofuranyl, tetrahydro-[2H]-pyranyl, pyridyl, or phenyl.

According to yet another embodiment, Sp¹ is a bond, —O—, —O—CH₂—, or —NH—CH₂.

In one embodiment:

n₁ and m₁ each is 2;

y is 0 or 1 and R⁵ is fluoro;

x is 1 and R³ is Me at 7-position or fluoro at 6-position;

z₁ is 0;

Sp¹ is —O—CH₂—;

w₁ is 0; and

ring B¹ is tetrahydrofuran-3-yl, phenyl, pyridine-3-yl, pyridine-4-yl, or tetrahydro[2H]-pyran-4-yl.

According to another embodiment, the present invention provides compounds of formula I-B:

wherein x, y, n₂, m₂, z₂, q₂, R, Sp², ring B², R³, R⁴, and R⁵ are as defined above.

In one embodiment, G₂ is N. Or, G₂ is CH.

In one embodiment, p₂ is 0. Or, p₂ is 1. Or, p₂ is 2.

In another embodiment, q₂ is 0. Or, q₂ is 1.

In one embodiment, p₂ is 1, and q₂ is 1.

In another embodiment, G₂ is CH, p₂ is 0, and q₂ is 1.

In one embodiment, m₂ and n₂ each is 1. Or, m₂ and n₂ each is 2. Or, n₂ is 1 and m₂ is 2. Or, n₂ is 1, and m₂ is 3.

In another embodiment, Sp² is selected from —O—, —S—, or —NR′—. In one embodiment, Sp² is —O—: Or, Sp² is —NR′—. Or, Sp² is —NH—.

In one embodiment, ring B² is a 4-8 membered, saturated, partially unsaturated, or aromatic, monocyclic heterocyclic ring having 1-4 heteroatoms selected from O, S, or N, wherein ring B is optionally substituted with w independent occurrences of —R¹², wherein w₂ is 0-4.

In another embodiment, ring B² is a 4-8 membered, saturated, monocyclic heterocyclic ring having 1-4 heteroatoms selected from O, S, or N, wherein ring B² is optionally substituted with w independent occurrences of —R¹², wherein w₂ is 0-4.

In yet another embodiment, ring B² is a 5-6 membered, saturated, monocyclic heterocyclic ring having 1-2 heteroatoms selected from O, S, or N, wherein ring B² is optionally substituted with w independent occurrences of —R¹², wherein w₂ is 0-4.

In one embodiment, w₂ is 0.

According to yet another embodiment, Sp² is a bond, —O—, or —O—CH₂—.

In another embodiment, ring B² is tetrahydrofuranyl, tetrahydro[2H]pyranyl, or pyridyl.

In yet another embodiment,

-   -   i) Sp² is a bond, O, or —O—CH₂—;     -   ii) p₂ is 1;     -   iii) R is hydrogen; and     -   iv) n₂ is 1 and m₂ is 2 or 3.

In one embodiment, R is hydrogen. Or, R is C1-C6 alkyl. Preferred R include methyl, ethyl, propyl, or butyl.

In one embodiment, compounds of formula I-B have formula I-B-i or formula I-B-ii:

In one embodiment of formula I-B-i:

-   -   i) p₂ is 1;     -   ii) m₂ is 3;     -   iii) Sp² is —O—;     -   iv) y is 0 or 1, and R⁵ is fluoro;     -   v) x is 1 and R³ is 7-Me; and     -   vi) ring B² is tetrahydrofuranyl.

In another embodiment of formula I-B-i:

-   -   p₂ is 0 or 1;     -   ii) m₂ is 1 or 2, preferably 2;     -   iii) Sp² is —O— or —O—CH₂—;     -   iv) y is 0;     -   v) x is 1 and R³ is 7-Me; and     -   vi) ring B² is tetrahydrofuranyl, tetrahydro[2H]pyranyl,         pyridyl, or phenyl.

In one embodiment of formula I-B-ii:

-   -   (i) n₂ is 1, m₂ is 1 or 2, preferably 2;     -   (ii) y is 0 or 1, and R⁵ is fluoro;     -   (iii) x is 1 and R³ is 7-Me or 6-F; and     -   (iv) ring B² is cyclopropyl optionally substituted with C1-C4         alkyl, or pyridyl.

In one embodiment of formula I-B-ii:

-   -   (i) n₂ and m₂ both are 2;     -   (ii) y is 0;     -   (iii) x is 1 and R³ is C1-C4 alkyl at the 7-position; and     -   (iv) ring B² is an optionally substituted tetrahydrofuranyl.

According to one embodiment, the present invention provides compounds of formula I-C or formula I-D:

wherein x, y, n₃, m₃, z₃, p₃, R^(XX), R^(YY), R³, R⁴, and R⁵ are as defined above.

In one embodiment of the present invention, one R^(XX) is hydrogen and the other R^(XX) is not hydrogen.

In another embodiment of the present invention, both R^(XX) are not hydrogen.

In another embodiment, one R^(XX) is hydrogen and the other R^(XX) is C1-C6 alkyl optionally substituted with halo. Or, both R^(XX) are simultaneously C1-C6 alkyl. Exemplary alkyl include methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, n-propyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, or t-butyl.

In one embodiment of the present invention, p₃ is 0. Or, p₃ is 1. Or, p₃ is 2.

In one embodiment of the present invention, m₃ and n₃ each is 1. Or, m₃ and n₃ each is 2. Or, m₃ and n₃ each is 3.

In one embodiment of the present invention, R^(XX) is C₁₋₆ aliphatic group, wherein R^(XX) is optionally substituted with w independent occurrences of —R¹³, wherein w₃ is 0-3. Or, R^(XX) is C1-C6 alkyl group optionally substituted with w₃ independent occurrences of —R¹³, wherein w₃ is 0-3.

In one embodiment of the present invention, R^(XX) is C1-C6 alkyl group.

In another embodiment of the present invention, R^(XX) is a 3-8-membered saturated, partially unsaturated, or fully unsaturated monocyclic ring having 0-3 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, or an 8-12 membered saturated, partially unsaturated, or fully unsaturated bicyclic ring system having 0-5 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, wherein R^(XX) is optionally substituted with w₃ independent occurrences of —R¹³, wherein w₃ is 0-3.

In another embodiment, R^(XX) is a 3-8-membered saturated, partially unsaturated, or fully unsaturated monocyclic ring having 0-3 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, wherein R^(XX) is optionally substituted with w independent occurrences of —R¹³, wherein w₃ is 0-3.

In another embodiment, R^(XX) is an 8-12 membered saturated, partially unsaturated, or fully unsaturated bicyclic ring system having 0-5 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, wherein R^(XX) is optionally substituted with w₃ independent occurrences of —R¹³, wherein w₃ is 0-3.

In another embodiment, R^(YY) is hydrogen, —COR′, —CO₂R′, —CON(R′)₂, —SOR′, —SO₂R′, —SO₂N(R′)₂, —COCOR′, —COCH₂COR′, —P(O)(OR′)₂, —P(O)₂OR′, or —PO(R′).

Or, R^(YY) is hydrogen.

In another embodiment, R^(YY) is —COR′, —CO₂R′, —CON(R′)₂, —SOR′, —SO₂R′, —SO₂N(R′)₂, —COCOR′, —COCH₂COR′, —P(O)(OR′)₂, —P(O)₂OR′, or —PO(R′).

In another embodiment, R^(YY) is hydrogen.

In one embodiment, R is hydrogen. Or, R is C1-C6 alkyl. Preferred R include methyl, ethyl, propyl, or butyl.

In one embodiment, the present invention provides a compound of formula I-C-i or formula I-D-i:

wherein x, y, n₃, m₃, z₃, p₃, R^(XX), R^(YY), R³, R⁴, and R⁵ are as defined above.

In one embodiment of 1-C-i or 1-D-i, R^(XX) is C1-C6 alkyl. In another embodiment, x is 1, and R³ is C1-C4 alkyl at the 7-position. Or, x is 1 and R³ is F, CN, or CF₃ at the 6-position.

In one embodiment, R^(XX) is methyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, or t-butyl.

In one embodiment, R³ is C1-C6 alkyl. Or, R³ is methyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, or t-butyl.

In one embodiment of I-C-i or I-D-i, and y is 0. Or, R⁵ is 6-F.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides a compound of formula I-C-ii:

wherein R³ and R^(XX) are as defined above.

In another embodiment, R³ is methyl at the 6- or 7-position of the quinazoline ring.

In another embodiment of formula I-C-ii, R^(XX) is CH₂C(O)OH or CH₂C(O)NH₂.

According to one embodiment, the present invention provides a compound of formula I-E:

wherein x, y, n₄, m₄, z₄, p₄, R^(YZ), R³, R⁴, and R⁵ are as defined above.

In one embodiment, p₄ is 1. Or, p₄ is 2.

In one embodiment, m₄ and n₄ each is 1. Or, m₄ and n₄ each is 2. Or, m₄ and n₄ each is 3. In one embodiment, n₄ is 1 and m₄ is 3. In another embodiment, n₄ is 1 and m₄ is 2.

In one embodiment, n₄ is 1, m₄ is 3, z₄ is 0, p₄ is 1, y is 0 or 1, and x is 1.

In another embodiment, n₄ is 1, m₄ is 2, z₄ is 0, p₄ is 1, y is 0 or 1, and x is 1.

In one embodiment, n₄ is 1, m₄ is 3, z₄ is 0, p₄ is 1, y is 0 or 1, x is 1, and R is hydrogen.

In another embodiment, n₄ is 1, m₄ is 2, z₄ is 0, p₄ is 1, y is 0 or 1, x is 1, and R is hydrogen.

In one embodiment, R^(YZ) is C1-C6 alkyl, optionally substituted with w₄ independent occurrences of —R¹⁴, wherein w₄ is 0-3. In another embodiment, R^(YZ) is C1-C4 alkyl group optionally substituted with w₄ independent occurrences of —R¹⁴, wherein w₄ is 0-3. Or, R^(Y) is C₁-C₆ alkyl group.

In one embodiment, R is hydrogen. Or, R is C1-C6 alkyl. Preferred R include methyl, ethyl, propyl, or butyl.

In another embodiment:

-   -   (i) n₄ is 1 and m₄ is 3;     -   (ii) p₄ is 1;     -   (iii) z₄ is 0;     -   (iv) R^(YZ) is C1-C6 alkyl, wherein up to two —CH₂— groups         therein is optionally replaced by —O—;     -   (v) y is 0 or 1, and R⁵ is 6-fluoro; and     -   (vi) x is 1 and R³ is C1-C4 alkyl.

In another embodiment:

-   -   (i) n₄ is 1 and m₄ is 2;     -   (ii) p₄ is 1;     -   (iii) z₄ is 0;     -   (iv) R^(YZ) is C1-C6 alkyl, wherein up to two —CH₂— groups         therein is optionally replaced by —O—;     -   (v) y is 0 or 1, and R⁵ is 6-fluoro; and     -   (vi) x is 1 and R³ is C1-C4 alkyl.

In another embodiment:

-   -   (i) n₄ is 1 and m₄ is 3;     -   (ii) p₄ is 1;     -   (iii) z₄ is 0;     -   (iv) R^(YZ) is benzyl;     -   (v) y is 0 or 1, and R⁵ is 6-fluoro; and     -   (vi) x is 1 and R³ is C1-C4 alkyl.

Representative examples of compounds as described above and herein are set forth below in Table 2.

TABLE 2 Examples of Compounds of Formula I:

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10 

11 

12 

13 

14 

General Synthetic Methodology:

The compounds of this invention may be prepared in general by methods known to those skilled in the art for analogous compounds, as illustrated by the general scheme below, and the preparative examples that follow.

Scheme A below depicts general conditions for the synthesis of compounds of formula IA where X is NR². In general, the useful intermediate iii can be obtained by condensing a benzoylchloride with an anthranilamide.

(step a) i) Treatment of i in water with AcOH and KOCN 0° C. to room temperature for 24 h, and subsequent reaction with ii) NaOH followed by acidification with HCl yields intermediate ii. (step b) Treatment of ii with POCl₃ and triethylamine under reflux conditions yields intermediate iii. (step c) Treatment of iii with R¹R²NH, in THF/CH₂Cl₂ 0° C. to room temperature yields intermediate iv.

Treatment of 1a with DAST generates the CHF₂ substituted bromoarene i; reaction of i with ii using palladium catalyzed conditions (step a) Pd(dppf)Cl₂, KOAc, in DMSO or DMF at 84° C. for 2-6 hours yields intermediate iii. Reaction of intermediate iii with intermediate iv using palladium cross coupling conditions (step b) Pd(dppf)Cl2 or (Ph₃P)₄Pd, K₂CO₃, DMF:H₂O (4:1) under microwave irradiation at 170° C. for 6 minutes in DMF yields compound v; alternatively heating to 85° C. for 3 h in DMF.

Although certain exemplary embodiments are depicted and described above and herein, it will be appreciated that a compounds of the invention can be prepared according to the methods described generally above using appropriate starting materials, and according to methods known in the art. For example, in certain embodiments, compounds as described herein wherein R¹ is hydrogen, and R² is pyrazolyl, exemplary procedures and compounds can be found in WO02/22607, WO 02/22604, WO 02/066461, WO 02/22601, WO 02/22603, WO 02/22608, WO 02/022605, or WO 02/22602.

5. Uses, Formulation and Administration

Pharmaceutically Acceptable Compositions

As discussed above, the present invention provides compounds that are inhibitors of voltage-gated sodium ion channels and/or calcium channels, and thus the present compounds are useful for the treatment of diseases, disorders, and conditions including, but not limited to acute, chronic, neuropathic, or inflammatory pain, arthritis, migraine, cluster headaches, trigeminal neuralgia, herpetic neuralgia, general neuralgias, epilepsy or epilepsy conditions, neurodegenerative disorders, psychiatric disorders such as anxiety and depression, myotonia, arrhythmia, movement disorders, neuroendocrine disorders, ataxia, multiple sclerosis, irritable bowel syndrome, and incontinence. Accordingly, in another aspect of the present invention, pharmaceutically acceptable compositions are provided, wherein these compositions comprise any of the compounds as described herein, and optionally comprise a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, adjuvant or vehicle. In certain embodiments, these compositions optionally further comprise one or more additional therapeutic agents.

In another embodiment, the compounds of the present invention are useful in treating lower urinary tract disorders. See, e.g., International Patent Publication No. WO 2004/066990, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

It will also be appreciated that certain of the compounds of present invention can exist in free form for treatment, or where appropriate, as a pharmaceutically acceptable derivative thereof. According to the present invention, a pharmaceutically acceptable derivative includes, but is not limited to, pharmaceutically acceptable salts, esters, salts of such esters, or any other adduct or derivative which upon administration to a patient in need is capable of providing, directly or indirectly, a compound as otherwise described herein, or a metabolite or residue thereof.

As used herein, the term “pharmaceutically acceptable salt” refers to those salts which are, within the scope of sound medical judgement, suitable for use in contact with the tissues of humans and lower animals without undue toxicity, irritation, allergic response and the like, and are commensurate with a reasonable benefit/risk ratio. A “pharmaceutically acceptable salt” means any non-toxic salt or salt of an ester of a compound of this invention that, upon administration to a recipient, is capable of providing, either directly or indirectly, a compound of this invention or an inhibitorily active metabolite or residue thereof. As used herein, the term “inhibitorily active metabolite or residue thereof” means that a metabolite or residue thereof is also an inhibitor of a voltage-gated sodium ion channel or calcium channel.

Pharmaceutically acceptable salts are well known in the art. For example, S. M. Berge, et al. describe pharmaceutically acceptable salts in detail in J. Pharmaceutical Sciences, 1977, 66, 1-19, incorporated herein by reference. Pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the compounds of this invention include those derived from suitable inorganic and organic acids and bases. Examples of pharmaceutically acceptable, nontoxic acid addition salts are salts of an amino group formed with inorganic acids such as hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, phosphoric acid, sulfuric acid and perchloric acid or with organic acids such as acetic acid, oxalic acid, maleic acid, tartaric acid, citric acid, succinic acid or malonic acid or by using other methods used in the art such as ion exchange. Other pharmaceutically acceptable salts include adipate, alginate, ascorbate, aspartate, benzenesulfonate, benzoate, bisulfate, borate, butyrate, camphorate, camphorsulfonate, citrate, cyclopentanepropionate, digluconate, dodecylsulfate, ethanesulfonate, formate, fumarate, glucoheptonate, glycerophosphate, gluconate, hemisulfate, heptanoate, hexanoate, hydroiodide, 2-hydroxy-ethanesulfonate, lactobionate, lactate, laurate, lauryl sulfate, malate, maleate, malonate, methanesulfonate, 2-naphthalenesulfonate, nicotinate, nitrate, oleate, oxalate, palmitate, pamoate, pectinate, persulfate, 3-phenylpropionate, phosphate, picrate, pivalate, propionate, stearate, succinate, sulfate, tartrate, thiocyanate, p-toluenesulfonate, undecanoate, valerate salts, and the like. Salts derived from appropriate bases include alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, ammonium and N⁺(C₁₋₄alkyl)₄ salts. This invention also envisions the quaternization of any basic nitrogen-containing groups of the compounds disclosed herein. Water or oil-soluble or dispersable products may be obtained by such quaternization. Representative alkali or alkaline earth metal salts include sodium, lithium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and the like. Further pharmaceutically acceptable salts include, when appropriate, nontoxic ammonium, quaternary ammonium, and amine cations formed using counterions such as halide, hydroxide, carboxylate, sulfate, phosphate, nitrate, loweralkyl sulfonate and aryl sulfonate.

As described above, the pharmaceutically acceptable compositions of the present invention additionally comprise a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, adjuvant, or vehicle, which, as used herein, includes any and all solvents, diluents, or other liquid vehicle, dispersion or suspension aids, surface active agents, isotonic agents, thickening or emulsifying agents, preservatives, solid binders, lubricants and the like, as suited to the particular dosage form desired. Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sixteenth Edition, E. W. Martin (Mack Publishing Co., Easton, Pa., 1980) discloses various carriers used in formulating pharmaceutically acceptable compositions and known techniques for the preparation thereof. Except insofar as any conventional carrier medium is incompatible with the compounds of the invention, such as by producing any undesirable biological effect or otherwise interacting in a deleterious manner with any other component(s) of the pharmaceutically acceptable composition, its use is contemplated to be within the scope of this invention. Some examples of materials which can serve as pharmaceutically acceptable carriers include, but are not limited to, ion exchangers, alumina, aluminum stearate, lecithin, serum proteins, such as human serum albumin, buffer substances such as phosphates, glycine, sorbic acid, or potassium sorbate, partial glyceride mixtures of saturated vegetable fatty acids, water, salts or electrolytes, such as protamine sulfate, disodium hydrogen phosphate, potassium hydrogen phosphate, sodium chloride, zinc salts, colloidal silica, magnesium trisilicate, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, polyacrylates, waxes, polyethylene-polyoxypropylene-block polymers, wool fat, sugars such as lactose, glucose and sucrose; starches such as corn starch and potato starch; cellulose and its derivatives such as sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose and cellulose acetate; powdered tragacanth; malt; gelatin; talc; excipients such as cocoa butter and suppository waxes; oils such as peanut oil, cottonseed oil; safflower oil; sesame oil; olive oil; corn oil and soybean oil; glycols; such a propylene glycol or polyethylene glycol; esters such as ethyl oleate and ethyl laurate; agar; buffering agents such as magnesium hydroxide and aluminum hydroxide; alginic acid; pyrogen-free water; isotonic saline; Ringer's solution; ethyl alcohol, and phosphate buffer solutions, as well as other non-toxic compatible lubricants such as sodium lauryl sulfate and magnesium stearate, as well as coloring agents, releasing agents, coating agents, sweetening, flavoring and perfuming agents, preservatives and antioxidants can also be present in the composition, according to the judgment of the formulator.

Uses of Compounds and Pharmaceutically Acceptable Compositions

In yet another aspect, a method for the treatment or lessening the severity of acute, chronic, neuropathic, or inflammatory pain, arthritis, migraine, cluster headaches, trigeminal neuralgia, herpetic neuralgia, general neuralgias, epilepsy or epilepsy conditions, neurodegenerative disorders, psychiatric disorders such as anxiety and depression, myotonia, arrhythmia, movement disorders, neuroendocrine disorders, ataxia, multiple sclerosis, irritable bowel syndrome, incontinence, visceral pain, osteoarthritis pain, postherpetic neuralgia, diabetic neuropathy, radicular pain, sciatica, back pain, head or neck pain, severe or intractable pain, nociceptive pain, breakthrough pain, postsurgical pain, or cancer pain is provided comprising administering an effective amount of a compound, or a pharmaceutically acceptable composition comprising a compound to a subject in need thereof. In certain embodiments, a method for the treatment or lessening the severity of acute, chronic, neuropathic, or inflammatory pain is provided comprising administering an effective amount of a compound or a pharmaceutically acceptable composition to a subject in need thereof. In certain other embodiments, a method for the treatment or lessening the severity of radicular pain, sciatica, back pain, head pain, or neck pain is provided comprising administering an effective amount of a compound or a pharmaceutically acceptable composition to a subject in need thereof. In still other embodiments, a method for the treatment or lessening the severity of severe or intractable pain, acute pain, postsurgical pain, back pain, or cancer pain is provided comprising administering an effective amount of a compound or a pharmaceutically acceptable composition to a subject in need thereof.

In certain embodiments of the present invention an “effective amount” of the compound or pharmaceutically acceptable composition is that amount effective for treating or lessening the severity of one or more of acute, chronic, neuropathic, or inflammatory pain, arthritis, migraine, cluster headaches, trigeminal neuralgia, herpetic neuralgia, general neuralgias, epilepsy or epilepsy conditions, neurodegenerative disorders, psychiatric disorders such as anxiety and depression, myotonia, arrhythmia, movement disorders, neuroendocrine disorders, ataxia, multiple sclerosis, irritable bowel syndrome, incontinence, visceral pain, osteoarthritis pain, postherpetic neuralgia, diabetic neuropathy, radicular pain, sciatica, back pain, head or neck pain, severe or intractable pain, nociceptive pain, breakthrough pain, postsurgical pain, or cancer pain.

The compounds and compositions, according to the method of the present invention, may be administered using any amount and any route of administration effective for treating or lessening the severity of one or more of acute, chronic, neuropathic, or inflammatory pain, arthritis, migraine, cluster headaches, trigeminal neuralgia, herpetic neuralgia, general neuralgias, epilepsy or epilepsy conditions, neurodegenerative disorders, psychiatric disorders such as anxiety and depression, myotonia, arrhythmia, movement disorders, neuroendocrine disorders, ataxia, multiple sclerosis, irritable bowel syndrome, incontinence, visceral pain, osteoarthritis pain, postherpetic neuralgia, diabetic neuropathy, radicular pain, sciatica, back pain, head or neck pain, severe or intractable pain, nociceptive pain, breakthrough pain, postsurgical pain, or cancer pain. The exact amount required will vary from subject to subject, depending on the species, age, and general condition of the subject, the severity of the infection, the particular agent, its mode of administration, and the like. The compounds of the invention are preferably formulated in dosage unit form for ease of administration and uniformity of dosage. The expression “dosage unit form” as used herein refers to a physically discrete unit of agent appropriate for the patient to be treated. It will be understood, however, that the total daily usage of the compounds and compositions of the present invention will be decided by the attending physician within the scope of sound medical judgment. The specific effective dose level for any particular patient or organism will depend upon a variety of factors including the disorder being treated and the severity of the disorder; the activity of the specific compound employed; the specific composition employed; the age, body weight, general health, sex and diet of the patient; the time of administration, route of administration, and rate of excretion of the specific compound employed; the duration of the treatment; drugs used in combination or coincidental with the specific compound employed, and like factors well known in the medical arts. The term “patient”, as used herein, means an animal, preferably a mammal, and most preferably a human.

The pharmaceutically acceptable compositions of this invention can be administered to humans and other animals orally, rectally, parenterally, intracisternally, intravaginally, intraperitoneally, topically (as by powders, ointments, or drops), bucally, as an oral or nasal spray, or the like, depending on the severity of the infection being treated. In certain embodiments, the compounds of the invention may be administered orally or parenterally at dosage levels of about 0.01 mg/kg to about 50 mg/kg and preferably from about 1 mg/kg to about 25 mg/kg, of subject body weight per day, one or more times a day, to obtain the desired therapeutic effect.

Liquid dosage forms for oral administration include, but are not limited to, pharmaceutically acceptable emulsions, microemulsions, solutions, suspensions, syrups and elixirs. In addition to the active compounds, the liquid dosage forms may contain inert diluents commonly used in the art such as, for example, water or other solvents, solubilizing agents and emulsifiers such as ethyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, ethyl carbonate, ethyl acetate, benzyl alcohol, benzyl benzoate, propylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol, dimethylformamide, oils (in particular, cottonseed, groundnut, corn, germ, olive, castor, and sesame oils), glycerol, tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol, polyethylene glycols and fatty acid esters of sorbitan, and mixtures thereof. Besides inert diluents, the oral compositions can also include adjuvants such as wetting agents, emulsifying and suspending agents, sweetening, flavoring, and perfuming agents.

Injectable preparations, for example, sterile injectable aqueous or oleaginous suspensions may be formulated according to the known art using suitable dispersing or wetting agents and suspending agents. The sterile injectable preparation may also be a sterile injectable solution, suspension or emulsion in a nontoxic parenterally acceptable diluent or solvent, for example, as a solution in 1,3-butanediol. Among the acceptable vehicles and solvents that may be employed are water, Ringer's solution, U.S.P. and isotonic sodium chloride solution. In addition, sterile, fixed oils are conventionally employed as a solvent or suspending medium. For this purpose any bland fixed oil can be employed including synthetic mono- or diglycerides. In addition, fatty acids such as oleic acid are used in the preparation of injectables.

The injectable formulations can be sterilized, for example, by filtration through a bacterial-retaining filter, or by incorporating sterilizing agents in the form of sterile solid compositions which can be dissolved or dispersed in sterile water or other sterile injectable medium prior to use.

In order to prolong the effect of a compound of the present invention, it is often desirable to slow the absorption of the compound from subcutaneous or intramuscular injection. This may be accomplished by the use of a liquid suspension of crystalline or amorphous material with poor water solubility. The rate of absorption of the compound then depends upon its rate of dissolution that, in turn, may depend upon crystal size and crystalline form. Alternatively, delayed absorption of a parenterally administered compound form is accomplished by dissolving or suspending the compound in an oil vehicle. Injectable depot forms are made by forming microencapsule matrices of the compound in biodegradable polymers such as polylactide-polyglycolide. Depending upon the ratio of compound to polymer and the nature of the particular polymer employed, the rate of compound release can be controlled. Examples of other biodegradable polymers include poly(orthoesters) and poly(anhydrides). Depot injectable formulations are also prepared by entrapping the compound in liposomes or microemulsions that are compatible with body tissues.

Compositions for rectal or vaginal administration are preferably suppositories which can be prepared by mixing the compounds of this invention with suitable non-irritating excipients or carriers such as cocoa butter, polyethylene glycol or a suppository wax which are solid at ambient temperature but liquid at body temperature and therefore melt in the rectum or vaginal cavity and release the active compound.

Solid dosage forms for oral administration include capsules, tablets, pills, powders, and granules. In such solid dosage forms, the active compound is mixed with at least one inert, pharmaceutically acceptable excipient or carrier such as sodium citrate or dicalcium phosphate and/or a) fillers or extenders such as starches, lactose, sucrose, glucose, mannitol, and silicic acid, b) binders such as, for example, carboxymethylcellulose, alginates, gelatin, polyvinylpyrrolidinone, sucrose, and acacia, c) humectants such as glycerol, d) disintegrating agents such as agar-agar, calcium carbonate, potato or tapioca starch, alginic acid, certain silicates, and sodium carbonate, e) solution retarding agents such as paraffin, f) absorption accelerators such as quaternary ammonium compounds, g) wetting agents such as, for example, cetyl alcohol and glycerol monostearate, h) absorbents such as kaolin and bentonite clay, and i) lubricants such as talc, calcium stearate, magnesium stearate, solid polyethylene glycols, sodium lauryl sulfate, and mixtures thereof. In the case of capsules, tablets and pills, the dosage form may also comprise buffering agents.

Solid compositions of a similar type may also be employed as fillers in soft and hard-filled gelatin capsules using such excipients as lactose or milk sugar as well as high molecular weight polyethylene glycols and the like. The solid dosage forms of tablets, dragees, capsules, pills, and granules can be prepared with coatings and shells such as enteric coatings and other coatings well known in the pharmaceutical formulating art. They may optionally contain opacifying agents and can also be of a composition that they release the active ingredient(s) only, or preferentially, in a certain part of the intestinal tract, optionally, in a delayed manner. Examples of embedding compositions that can be used include polymeric substances and waxes. Solid compositions of a similar type may also be employed as fillers in soft and hard-filled gelatin capsules using such excipients as lactose or milk sugar as well as high molecular weight polyethylene glycols and the like.

The active compounds can also be in microencapsulated form with one or more excipients as noted above. The solid dosage forms of tablets, dragees, capsules, pills, and granules can be prepared with coatings and shells such as enteric coatings, release controlling coatings and other coatings well known in the pharmaceutical formulating art. In such solid dosage forms the active compound may be admixed with at least one inert diluent such as sucrose, lactose or starch. Such dosage forms may also comprise, as is normal practice, additional substances other than inert diluents, e.g., tableting lubricants and other tableting aids such a magnesium stearate and microcrystalline cellulose. In the case of capsules, tablets and pills, the dosage forms may also comprise buffering agents. They may optionally contain opacifying agents and can also be of a composition that they release the active ingredient(s) only, or preferentially, in a certain part of the intestinal tract, optionally, in a delayed manner. Examples of embedding compositions that can be used include polymeric substances and waxes.

Dosage forms for topical or transdermal administration of a compound of this invention include ointments, pastes, creams, lotions, gels, powders, solutions, sprays, inhalants or patches. The active component is admixed under sterile conditions with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and any needed preservatives or buffers as may be required. Ophthalmic formulation, eardrops, and eye drops are also contemplated as being within the scope of this invention. Additionally, the present invention contemplates the use of transdermal patches, which have the added advantage of providing controlled delivery of a compound to the body. Such dosage forms are prepared by dissolving or dispensing the compound in the proper medium. Absorption enhancers can also be used to increase the flux of the compound across the skin. The rate can be controlled by either providing a rate controlling membrane or by dispersing the compound in a polymer matrix or gel.

As described generally above, the compounds of the invention are useful as inhibitors of voltage-gated sodium ion channels or calcium channels, preferably N-type calcium channels. In one embodiment, the compounds and compositions of the invention are inhibitors of one or more of NaV1.1, NaV1.2, NaV1.3, NaV1.4, NaV1.5, NaV1.6, NaV1.7, NaV1.8, NaV1.9, or CaV2.2, and thus, without wishing to be bound by any particular theory, the compounds and compositions are particularly useful for treating or lessening the severity of a disease, condition, or disorder where activation or hyperactivity of one or more of NaV1.1, NaV1.2, NaV1.3, NaV1.4, NaV1.5, NaV1.6, NaV1.7, NaV1.8, NaV1.9, or CaV2.2 is implicated in the disease, condition, or disorder. When activation or hyperactivity of NaV1.1, NaV1.2, NaV1.3, NaV1.4, NaV1.5, NaV1.6, NaV1.7, NaV1.8, NaV1.9, or CaV2.2, is implicated in a particular disease, condition, or disorder, the disease, condition, or disorder may also be referred to as a “NaV1.1, NaV1.2, NaV1.3, NaV1.4, NaV1.5, NaV1.6, NaV1.7, NaV1.8 or NaV1.9-mediated disease, condition or disorder” or a “CaV2.2-mediated condition or disorder”. Accordingly, in another aspect, the present invention provides a method for treating or lessening the severity of a disease, condition, or disorder where activation or hyperactivity of one or more of NaV1.1, NaV1.2, NaV1.3, NaV1.4, NaV1.5, NaV1.6, NaV1.7, NaV1.8, NaV1.9, or CaV2.2 is implicated in the disease state.

The activity of a compound utilized in this invention as an inhibitor of NaV1.1, NaV1.2, NaV1.3, NaV1.4, NaV1.5, NaV1.6, NaV1.7, NaV1.8, NaV1.9, or CaV2.2 may be assayed according to methods described generally in the Examples herein, or according to methods available to one of ordinary skill in the art.

In certain exemplary embodiments, compounds of the invention are useful as inhibitors of NaV1.8. In other embodiments, compounds of the invention are useful as inhibitors of NaV1.8 and CaV2.2. In still other embodiments, compounds of the invention are useful as inhibitors of CaV2.2. In yet other embodiments, compounds of the invention are useful as dual inhibitors of NaV1.8 and a TTX-sensitive ion channel such as NaV1.3 or NaV1.7.

It will also be appreciated that the compounds and pharmaceutically acceptable compositions of the present invention can be employed in combination therapies, that is, the compounds and pharmaceutically acceptable compositions can be administered concurrently with, prior to, or subsequent to, one or more other desired therapeutics or medical procedures. The particular combination of therapies (therapeutics or procedures) to employ in a combination regimen will take into account compatibility of the desired therapeutics and/or procedures and the desired therapeutic effect to be achieved. It will also be appreciated that the therapies employed may achieve a desired effect for the same disorder (for example, an inventive compound may be administered concurrently with another agent used to treat the same disorder), or they may achieve different effects (e.g., control of any adverse effects). As used herein, additional therapeutic agents that are normally administered to treat or prevent a particular disease, or condition, are known as “appropriate for the disease, or condition, being treated”. For example, exemplary additional therapeutic agents include, but are not limited to: nonopioid analgesics (indoles such as Etodolac, Indomethacin, Sulindac, Tolmetin; naphthylalkanones such sa Nabumetone; oxicams such as Piroxicam; para-aminophenol derivatives, such as Acetaminophen; propionic acids such as Fenoprofen, Flurbiprofen, Ibuprofen, Ketoprofen, Naproxen, Naproxen sodium, Oxaprozin; salicylates such as Asprin, Choline magnesium trisalicylate, Diflunisal; fenamates such as meclofenamic acid, Mefenamic acid; and pyrazoles such as Phenylbutazone); or opioid (narcotic) agonists (such as Codeine, Fentanyl, Hydromorphone, Levorphanol, Meperidine, Methadone, Morphine, Oxycodone, Oxymorphone, Propoxyphene, Buprenorphine, Butorphanol, Dezocine, Nalbuphine, and Pentazocine). Additionally, nondrug analgesic approaches may be utilized in conjunction with administration of one or more compounds of the invention. For example, anesthesiologic (intraspinal infusion, neural blocade), neurosurgical (neurolysis of CNS pathways), neurostimulatory (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, dorsal column stimulation), physiatric (physical therapy, orthotic devices, diathermy), or psychologic (cognitive methods-hypnosis, biofeedback, or behavioral methods) approaches may also be utilized. Additional appropriate therapeutic agents or approaches are described generally in The Merck Manual, Seventeenth Edition, Ed. Mark H. Beers and Robert Berkow, Merck Research Laboratories, 1999, and the Food and Drug Administration website, www.fda.gov, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

The amount of additional therapeutic agent present in the compositions of this invention will be no more than the amount that would normally be administered in a composition comprising that therapeutic agent as the only active agent. Preferably the amount of additional therapeutic agent in the presently disclosed compositions will range from about 50% to 100% of the amount normally present in a composition comprising that agent as the only therapeutically active agent.

The compounds of this invention or pharmaceutically acceptable compositions thereof may also be incorporated into compositions for coating an implantable medical device, such as prostheses, artificial valves, vascular grafts, stents and catheters. Accordingly, the present invention, in another aspect, includes a composition for coating an implantable device comprising a compound of the present invention as described generally above, and in classes and subclasses herein, and a carrier suitable for coating said implantable device. In still another aspect, the present invention includes an implantable device coated with a composition comprising a compound of the present invention as described generally above, and in classes and subclasses herein, and a carrier suitable for coating said implantable device. Suitable coatings and the general preparation of coated implantable devices are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,099,562; 5,886,026; and 5,304,121. The coatings are typically biocompatible polymeric materials such as a hydrogel polymer, polymethyldisiloxane, polycaprolactone, polyethylene glycol, polylactic acid, ethylene vinyl acetate, and mixtures thereof. The coatings may optionally be further covered by a suitable topcoat of fluorosilicone, polysaccarides, polyethylene glycol, phospholipids or combinations thereof to impart controlled release characteristics in the composition.

Another aspect of the invention relates to inhibiting one or more of NaV1.1, NaV1.2, NaV1.3, NaV1.4, NaV1.5, NaV1.6, NaV1.7, NaV1.8, NaV1.9, or CaV2.2 activity in a biological sample or a patient, which method comprises administering to the patient, or contacting said biological sample with a compound of formula I or a composition comprising said compound. The term “biological sample”, as used herein, includes, without limitation, cell cultures or extracts thereof; biopsied material obtained from a mammal or extracts thereof; and blood, saliva, urine, feces, semen, tears, or other body fluids or extracts thereof.

Inhibition of one or more of NaV1.1, NaV1.2, NaV1.3, NaV1.4, NaV1.5, NaV1.6, NaV1.7, NaV1.8, NaV1.9, or CaV2.2 activity in a biological sample is useful for a variety of purposes that are known to one of skill in the art. Examples of such purposes include, but are not limited to, the study of sodium ion channels in biological and pathological phenomena; and the comparative evaluation of new sodium ion channel inhibitors.

In order that the invention described herein may be more fully understood, the following examples are set forth. It should be understood that these examples are for illustrative purposes only and are not to be construed as limiting this invention in any manner.

EXAMPLES Synthesis of Exemplary Compounds of the Invention

The analytical data for exemplary compounds of the present invention are shown below in Table 3.

TABLE 3 Cmpd LC-MS LC-RT No. M + 1 min 1 467.3 2.14 2 469.3 2.44 3 483.3 2.24 4 455.4 2.91 5 367.9 2.79 6 339.9 2.38 7 469.3 2.97 8 441.3 2.54 9 455.5 2.13 10 469.5 2.37 11 471.3 2.28 12 467.3 2.14 13 483.3 2.25 14 483.3 2.24

Assays for Detecting and Measuring NaV Inhibition Properties of Compounds

A) Optical Methods for Assaying NaV Inhibition Properties of Compounds:

Compounds of the invention are useful as antagonists of voltage-gated sodium ion channels. Antagonist properties of test compounds were assessed as follows. Cells expressing the NaV of interest were placed into microtiter plates. After an incubation period, the cells were stained with fluorescent dyes sensitive to the transmembrane potential. The test compounds were added to the microtiter plate. The cells were stimulated with either a chemical or electrical means to evoke a NaV dependent membrane potential change from unblocked channels, which was detected and measured with trans-membrane potential-sensitive dyes. Antagonists were detected as a decreased membrane potential response to the stimulus. The optical membrane potential assay utilized voltage-sensitive FRET sensors described by Gonzalez and Tsien (See, Gonzalez, J. E. and R. Y. Tsien (1995) “Voltage sensing by fluorescence resonance energy transfer in single cells” Biophys J 69(4): 1272-80, and Gonzalez, J. E. and R. Y. Tsien (1997) “Improved indicators of cell membrane potential that use fluorescence resonance energy transfer” Chem Biol 4(4): 269-77) in combination with instrumentation for measuring fluorescence changes such as the Voltage/Ion Probe Reader (VIPR®) (See, Gonzalez, J. E., K. Oades, et al. (1999) “Cell-based assays and instrumentation for screening ion-channel targets” Drug Discov Today 4(9): 431-439).

B) VIPR® Optical Membrane Potential Assay Method with Chemical Stimulation

Cell Handling and Dye Loading

24 hours before the assay on VIPR, CHO cells endogenously expressing a NaV1.2 type voltage-gated NaV are seeded in 96-well poly-lysine coated plates at 60,000 cells per well. Other subtypes are performed in an analogous mode in a cell line expressing the NaV of interest.

-   1) On the day of the assay, medium is aspirated and cells are washed     twice with 225 μL of Bath Solution #2 (BS#2). -   2) A 15 uM CC2-DMPE solution is prepared by mixing 5 mM coumarin     stock solution with 10% Pluronic 127 1:1 and then dissolving the mix     in the appropriate volume of BS#2. -   3) After bath solution is removed from the 96-well plates, the cells     are loaded with 80 μL of the CC2-DMPE solution. Plates are incubated     in the dark for 30 minutes at room temperature. -   4) While the cells are being stained with coumarin, a 15 μL oxonol     solution in BS#2 is prepared. In addition to DiSBAC₂(3), this     solution should contain 0.75 mM ABSC1 and 30 μL veratridine     (prepared from 10 mM EtOH stock, Sigma #V-5754). -   5) After 30 minutes, CC2-DMPE is removed and the cells are washed     twice with 225 μL of BS#2. As before, the residual volume should be     40 μl. -   6) Upon removing the bath, the cells are loaded with 80 μL of the     DiSBAC₂(3) solution, after which test compound, dissolved in DMSO,     is added to achieve the desired test concentration to each well from     the drug addition plate and mixed thoroughly. The volume in the well     should be roughly 121 μL. The cells are then incubated for 20-30     minutes. -   7) Once the incubation is complete, the cells are ready to be     assayed on VIPR® with a sodium addback protocol. 120 μL of Bath     solution #1 is added to stimulate the NaV dependent depolarization.     200 μL tetracaine was used as an antagonist positive control for     block of the NaV channel.

Analysis of VIPR® Data:

Data are analyzed and reported as normalized ratios of background-subtracted emission intensities measured in the 460 nm and 580 nm channels. Background intensities are then subtracted from each assay channel. Background intensities are obtained by measuring the emission intensities during the same time periods from identically treated assay wells in which there are no cells. The response as a function of time is then reported as the ratios obtained using the following formula:

${R(t)} = \frac{\left( {{intensity}_{460\mspace{14mu} {nm}} - {background}_{460\mspace{14mu} {nm}}} \right)}{\left( {{intensity}_{580\mspace{14mu} {nm}} - {background}_{580\mspace{14mu} {nm}}} \right)}$

The data is further reduced by calculating the initial (R_(i)) and final (R_(f)) ratios. These are the average ratio values during part or all of the pre-stimulation period, and during sample points during the stimulation period. The response to the stimulus R=R_(f)/R_(i) is then calculated. For the Na⁺ addback analysis time windows, baseline is 2-7 sec and final response is sampled at 15-24 sec.

Control responses are obtained by performing assays in the presence of a compound with the desired properties (positive control), such as tetracaine, and in the absence of pharmacological agents (negative control). Responses to the negative (N) and positive (P) controls are calculated as above. The compound antagonist activity A is defined as:

$A = {\frac{R - P}{N - P}*100.}$

where R is the ratio response of the test compound Solutions [mM]

-   Bath Solution #1: NaCl 160, KCl 4.5, CaCl₂ 2, MgCl₂ 1, HEPES 10, pH     7.4 with NaOH -   Bath Solution #2 TMA-Cl 160, CaCl₂ 0.1, MgCl₂ 1, HEPES 10, pH 7.4     with KOH (final K concentration ˜5 mM) -   CC2-DMPE: prepared as a 5 mM stock solution in DMSO and stored at     −20° C. -   DiSBAC₂(3): prepared as a 12 mM stock in DMSO and stored at −20° C. -   ABSC1: prepared as a 200 mM stock in distilled H₂O and stored at     room temperature

Cell Culture

CHO cells are grown in DMEM (Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium; GibcoBRL #10569-010) supplemented with 10% FBS (Fetal Bovine Serum, qualified; GibcoBRL #16140-071) and 1% Pen-Strep (Penicillin-Streptomycin; GibcoBRL #15140-122). Cells are grown in vented cap flasks, in 90% humidity and 10% CO₂, to 100% confluence. They are usually split by trypsinization 1:10 or 1:20, depending on scheduling needs, and grown for 2-3 days before the next split.

C) VIPR® Optical Membrane Potential Assay Method with Electrical Stimulation

The following is an example of how NaV1.3 inhibition activity is measured using the optical membrane potential method #2. Other subtypes are performed in an analogous mode in a cell line expressing the NaV of interest.

HEK293 cells stably expressing NaV1.3 are plated into 96-well microtiter plates. After an appropriate incubation period, the cells are stained with the voltage sensitive dyes CC2-DMPE/DiSBAC2(3) as follows.

Reagents:

100 mg/mL Pluronic F-127 (Sigma #P2443), in dry DMSO

10 mM DiSBAC₂(3) (Aurora #00-100-010) in dry DMSO 10 mM CC2-DMPE (Aurora #00-100-008) in dry DMSO 200 mM ABSC1 in H₂O

Hank's Balanced Salt Solution (Hyclone #SH30268.02) supplemented with 10 mM HEPES (Gibco #15630-080)

Loading Protocol:

2× CC2-DMPE=20 μM CC2-DMPE: 10 mM CC2-DMPE is vortexed with an equivalent volume of 10% pluronic, followed by vortexing in required amount of HBSS containing 10 mM HEPES. Each cell plate will require 5 mL of 2× CC2-DMPE. 50 μL of 2× CC2-DMPE is to wells containing washed cells, resulting in a 10 μM final staining concentration. The cells are stained for 30 minutes in the dark at RT.

2× DISBAC₂(3) with ABSC1=6 μM DISBAC₂(3) and 1 mM ABSC1: The required amount of 10 mM DISBAC₂(3) is added to a 50 ml conical tube and mixed with 1 μL 10% pluronic for each mL of solution to be made and vortexed together. Then HBSS/HEPES is added to make up 2× solution. Finally, the ABSC1 is added.

The 2× DiSBAC₂(3) solution can be used to solvate compound plates. Note that compound plates are made at 2× drug concentration. Wash stained plate again, leaving residual volume of 50 μL. Add 50 uL/well of the 2× DiSBAC₂(3) w/ ABSC1. Stain for 30 minutes in the dark at RT.

The electrical stimulation instrument and methods of use are described in ION Channel Assay Methods PCT/US01/21652, herein incorporated by reference. The instrument comprises a microtiter plate handler, an optical system for exciting the coumarin dye while simultaneously recording the coumarin and oxonol emissions, a waveform generator, a current- or voltage-controlled amplifier, and a device for inserting electrodes in well. Under integrated computer control, this instrument passes user-programmed electrical stimulus protocols to cells within the wells of the microtiter plate.

Reagents

Assay Buffer #1

140 mM NaCl, 4.5 mM KCl, 2 mM CaCl₂, 1 mM MgCl₂, 10 mM HEPES, 10 mM glucose, pH 7.40, 330 mOsm Pluronic stock (1000×): 100 mg/mL pluronic 127 in dry DMSO Oxonol stock (3333×): 10 mM DiSBAC₂(3) in dry DMSO Coumarin stock (1000×): 10 mM CC2-DMPE in dry DMSO ABSC1 stock (400×): 200 mM ABSC1 in water

Assay Protocol

-   -   1. Insert or use electrodes into each well to be assayed.     -   2. Use the current-controlled amplifier to deliver stimulation         wave pulses for 3 s. Two seconds of pre-stimulus recording are         performed to obtain the un-stimulated intensities. Five seconds         of post-stimulation recording are performed to examine the         relaxation to the resting state.

Data Analysis

Data are analyzed and reported as normalized ratios of background-subtracted emission intensities measured in the 460 nm and 580 nm channels. Background intensities are then subtracted from each assay channel. Background intensities are obtained by measuring the emission intensities during the same time periods from identically treated assay wells in which there are no cells. The response as a function of time is then reported as the ratios obtained using the following formula:

${R(t)} = \frac{\left( {{intensity}_{460\mspace{14mu} {nm}} - {background}_{460\mspace{14mu} {nm}}} \right)}{\left( {{intensity}_{580\mspace{14mu} {nm}} - {background}_{580\mspace{14mu} {nm}}} \right)}$

The data is further reduced by calculating the initial (R_(i)) and final (R_(f)) ratios. These are the average ratio values during part or all of the pre-stimulation period, and during sample points during the stimulation period. The response to the stimulus R=R_(f)/R_(i) is then calculated.

Control responses are obtained by performing assays in the presence of a compound with the desired properties (positive control), such as tetracaine, and in the absence of pharmacological agents (negative control). Responses to the negative (N) and positive (P) controls are calculated as above. The compound antagonist activity A is defined as:

$A = {\frac{R - P}{N - P}*100.}$

where R is the ratio response of the test compound.

Electrophysiology Assays for NaV Activity and Inhibition of Test Compounds

Patch clamp electrophysiology was used to assess the efficacy and selectivity of sodium channel blockers in dorsal root ganglion neurons. Rat neurons were isolated from the dorsal root ganglions and maintained in culture for 2 to 10 days in the presence of NGF (50 ng/ml) (culture media consisted of NeurobasalA supplemented with B27, glutamine and antibiotics). Small diameter neurons (nociceptors, 8-12 μm in diameter) have been visually identified and probed with fine tip glass electrodes connected to an amplifier (Axon Instruments). The “voltage clamp” mode has been used to assess the compound's IC50 holding the cells at =60 mV. In addition, the “current clamp” mode has been employed to test the efficacy of the compounds in blocking action potential generation in response to current injections. The results of these experiments have contributed to the definition of the efficacy profile of the compounds.

Voltage-Clamp Assay in DRG Neurons

TTX-resistant sodium currents were recorded from DRG somata using the whole-cell variation of the patch clamp technique. Recordings were made at room temperature (˜22° C.) with thick walled borosilicate glass electrodes (WPI; resistance 3-4 MΩ) using an Axopatch 200B amplifier (Axon Instruments). After establishing the whole-cell configuration, approximately 15 minutes were allowed for the pipette solution to equilibrate within the cell before beginning recording. Currents were lowpass filtered between 2-5 kHz and digitally sampled at 10 kHz. Series resistance was compensated 60-70% and was monitored continuously throughout the experiment. The liquid junction potential (−7 mV) between the intracellular pipette solution and the external recording solution was not accounted for in the data analysis. Test solutions were applied to the cells with a gravity driven fast perfusion system (SF-77; Warner Instruments).

Dose-response relationships were determined in voltage clamp mode by repeatedly depolarizing the cell from the experiment specific holding potential to a test potential of +10 mV once every 60 seconds. Blocking effects were allowed to plateau before proceeding to the next test concentration.

Solutions

Intracellular solution (in mM): Cs—F (130), NaCl (10), MgCl₂ (1), EGTA (1.5), CaCl₂ (0.1), HEPES (10), glucose (2), pH=7.42, 290 mOsm.

Extracellular solution (in mM): NaCl (138), CaCl₂ (1.26), KCl (5.33), KH₂PO₄ (0.44), MgCl₂ (0.5), MgSO₄ (0.41), NaHCO₃ (4), Na₂HPO₄ (0.3), glucose (5.6), HEPES (10), CdCl2 (0.4), NiCl2 (0.1), TTX (0.25×10⁻³).

Current-Clamp Assay for NaV Channel Inhibition Activity of Compounds

Cells were current-clamped in whole-cell configuration with a Multiplamp 700A amplifier (Axon Inst). Borosilicate pipettes (4-5 MOhm) were filled with (in mM):150 K-gluconate, 10 NaCl, 0.1 EGTA, 10 Hepes, 2 MgCl₂, (buffered to pH 7.34 with KOH). Cells were bathed in (in mM): 140 NaCl, 3 KCl, 1 MgCl, 1 CaCl, and 10 Hepes). Pipette potential was zeroed before seal formation; liquid junction potentials were not corrected during acquisition. Recordings were made at room temperature.

Following these procedures, representative compounds of the present invention were found to possess desired voltage gated sodium channel activity and selectivity.

Assays for Detecting and Measuring CaV Inhibition Properties of Compounds

A) Optical Methods for Assaying CaV Inhibition Properties of Compounds:

Compounds of the invention are useful as antagonists of voltage-gated calcium ion channels. Antagonist properties of test compounds were assessed as follows. Cells expressing the CaV of interest were placed into microtiter plates. After an incubation period, the cells were stained with fluorescent dyes sensitive to the transmembrane potential. The test compounds were added to the microtiter plate. The cells were stimulated with electrical means to evoke a CaV dependent membrane potential change from unblocked channels, which was detected and measured with trans-membrane potential-sensitive dyes. Antagonists were detected as a decreased membrane potential response to the stimulus. The optical membrane potential assay utilized voltage-sensitive FRET sensors described by Gonzalez and Tsien (See, Gonzalez, J. E. and R. Y. Tsien (1995) “Voltage sensing by fluorescence resonance energy transfer in single cells” Biophys J 69(4): 1272-80, and Gonzalez, J. E. and R. Y. Tsien (1997) “Improved indicators of cell membrane potential that use fluorescence resonance energy transfer” Chem Biol 4(4): 269-77) in combination with instrumentation for measuring fluorescence changes such as the Voltage/Ion Probe Reader (VIPR®) (See, Gonzalez, J. E., K. Oades, et al. (1999) “Cell-based assays and instrumentation for screening ion-channel targets” Drug Discov Today 4(9): 431-439).

VIPR® Optical Membrane Potential Assay Method with Electrical Stimulation

The following is an example of how CaV2.2 inhibition activity is measured using the optical membrane potential method. Other subtypes are performed in an analogous mode in a cell line expressing the CaV of interest.

HEK293 cells stably expressing CaV2.2 are plated into 96-well microtiter plates. After an appropriate incubation period, the cells are stained with the voltage sensitive dyes CC2-DMPE/DiSBAC2(3) as follows.

Reagents:

100 mg/mL Pluronic F-127 (Sigma #P2443), in dry DMSO

10 mM DiSBAC₆(3) (Aurora #00-100-010) in dry DMSO 10 mM CC2-DMPE (Aurora #00-100-008) in dry DMSO 200 mM Acid Yellow 17 (Aurora #VABSC) in H₂O 370 mM Barium Chloride (Sigma Cat# B6394) in H₂O Bath X 160 mM NaCl (Sigma Cat# S-9888) 4.5 mM KCl (Sigma Cat# P-5405) 1 mM MgCl2 (Fluka Cat# 63064) 10 mM HEPES (Sigma Cat# H-4034)

pH 7.4 using NaOH

Loading Protocol:

2× CC2-DMPE=20 μM CC2-DMPE: 10 mM CC2-DMPE is vortexed with an equivalent volume of 10% pluronic, followed by vortexing in required amount of HBSS containing 10 mM HEPES. Each cell plate will require 5 mL of 2× CC2-DMPE. 50 μL of 2× CC2-DMPE is added to wells containing washed cells, resulting in a 10 μM final staining concentration. The cells are stained for 30 minutes in the dark at RT.

2× CC2DMPE & DISBAC₆(3)=8 μM CC2DMPE & 2.5 μM DISBAC₆(3): Vortex together both dyes with an equivalent volume of 10% pluronic (in DMSO). Vortex in required amount of Bath X with beta-cyclodextrin. Each 96 well cell plate will require 5 ml of 2× CC2DMPE. Wash plate with EL×405 with Bath X, leaving a residual volume of 50 μL/well. Add 50 μL of 2× CC2DMPE & DISBAC₆(3) to each well. Stain for 30 minutes in the dark at RT.

1.5× AY17=750 μM AY17 with 15 mM BaCl₂: Add Acid Yellow 17 to vessel containing Bath X. Mix well. Allow solution to sit for 10 minutes. Slowly mix in 370 mM BaCl₂. This solution can be used to solvate compound plates. Note that compound plates are made at 1.5× drug concentration and not the usual 2×. Wash CC2 stained plate, again, leaving residual volume of 50 μL. Add 100 uL/well of the AY17 solution. Stain for 15 minutes in the dark at RT. Run plate on the optical reader.

The electrical stimulation instrument and methods of use are described in ION Channel Assay Methods PCT/US01/21652, herein incorporated by reference. The instrument comprises a microtiter plate handler, an optical system for exciting the coumarin dye while simultaneously recording the coumarin and oxonol emissions, a waveform generator, a current- or voltage-controlled amplifier, and a device for inserting electrodes in well. Under integrated computer control, this instrument passes user-programmed electrical stimulus protocols to cells within the wells of the microtiter plate.

Assay Protocol

Insert or use electrodes into each well to be assayed.

Use the current-controlled amplifier to deliver stimulation wave pulses for 3-5 s. Two seconds of pre-stimulus recording are performed to obtain the un-stimulated intensities. Five seconds of post-stimulation recording are performed to examine the relaxation to the resting state.

Data Analysis

Data are analyzed and reported as normalized ratios of background-subtracted emission intensities measured in the 460 nm and 580 nm channels. Background intensities are then subtracted from each assay channel. Background intensities are obtained by measuring the emission intensities during the same time periods from identically treated assay wells in which there are no cells. The response as a function of time is then reported as the ratios obtained using the following formula:

${R(t)} = \frac{\left( {{intensity}_{460\mspace{14mu} {nm}} - {background}_{460\mspace{14mu} {nm}}} \right)}{\left( {{intensity}_{580\mspace{14mu} {nm}} - {background}_{580\mspace{14mu} {nm}}} \right)}$

The data is further reduced by calculating the initial (R_(i)) and final (R_(f)) ratios. These are the average ratio values during part or all of the pre-stimulation period, and during sample points during the stimulation period. The response to the stimulus R=R_(f)/R_(i) is then calculated.

Control responses are obtained by performing assays in the presence of a compound with the desired properties (positive control), such as mibefradil, and in the absence of pharmacological agents (negative control). Responses to the negative (N) and positive (P) controls are calculated as above. The compound antagonist activity A is defined as:

$A = {\frac{R - P}{N - P}*100.}$

where R is the ratio response of the test compound.

Electrophysiology Assays for CaV Activity and Inhibition of Test Compounds

Patch clamp electrophysiology was used to assess the efficacy of calcium channel blockers expressed in HEK293 cells. HEK293 cells expressing CaV2.2 have been visually identified and probed with fine tip glass electrodes connected to an amplifier (Axon Instruments). The “voltage clamp” mode has been used to assess the compound's IC50 holding the cells at −100 mV. The results of these experiments have contributed to the definition of the efficacy profile of the compounds.

Voltage-Clamp Assay in HEK293 Cells Expressing CaV2.2

CaV2.2 calcium currents were recorded from HEK293 cells using the whole-cell variation of the patch clamp technique. Recordings were made at room temperature (˜22° C.) with thick walled borosilicate glass electrodes (WPI; resistance 3-4 MΩ) using an Axopatch 200B amplifier (Axon Instruments). After establishing the whole-cell configuration, approximately 15 minutes were allowed for the pipette solution to equilibrate within the cell before beginning recording. Currents were lowpass filtered between 2-5 kHz and digitally sampled at 10 kHz. Series resistance was compensated 60-70% and was monitored continuously throughout the experiment. The liquid junction potential (−7 mV) between the intracellular pipette solution and the external recording solution was not accounted for in the data analysis. Test solutions were applied to the cells with a gravity driven fast perfusion system (SF-77; Warner Instruments).

Dose-response relationships were determined in voltage clamp mode by repeatedly depolarizing the cell from the experiment specific holding potential to a test potential of +20 mV for 50 ms at frequencies of 0.1, 1, 5, 10, 15, and 20 Hz. Blocking effects were allowed to plateau before proceeding to the next test concentration.

Solutions

Intracellular solution (in mM): Cs—F (130), NaCl (10), MgCl₂ (1), EGTA (1.5), CaCl₂ (0.1), HEPES (10), glucose (2), pH=7.42, 290 mOsm.

Extracellular solution (in mM): NaCl (138), BaCl₂ (10), KCl (5.33), KH₂PO₄ (0.44), MgCl₂ (0.5), MgSO₄ (0.41), NaHCO₃ (4), Na₂HPO₄ (0.3), glucose (5.6), HEPES (10).

Following these procedures, representative compounds of the present invention were found to possess desired N-type calcium channel modulation activity and selectivity. 

1. A compound of formula I:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or derivative thereof, wherein: R¹ and R², taken together with the nitrogen atom, form a substituted ring selected from:

wherein, in ring (A): each of m₁ and n₁ is independently 0-3, provided that m₁+n₁ is 2-6; z₁ is 0-4; Sp¹ is —O—, —S—, —NR′—, or a C1-C6 alkylidene linker, wherein up to two methylene units are optionally and independently replaced by —O—, —S—, —CO—, —CS—, —COCO—, —CONR′—, —CONR′NR′—, —CO₂—, —OCO—, —NR′CO₂—, —NR′CONR′—, —OCONR′—, —NR′NR′, —NR′NR′CO—, —NR′CO—, —SO, —SO₂—, —NR′—, —SO₂NR′—, NR′SO₂—, or —NR′SO₂NR′—, provided that Sp¹ is attached to the carbonyl group through an atom other than carbon; ring B¹ is a 4-8 membered, saturated, partially unsaturated, or aromatic, monocyclic heterocyclic ring having 1-4 heteroatoms selected from O, S, or N, wherein ring B¹ is optionally substituted with w₁ independent occurrences of —R¹¹, wherein w₁ is 0-4; wherein, in ring (B): G₂ is —N—, or CH; each of m₂ and n₂ is independently 0-3, provided that m₂+n₂ is 2-6; p₂ is 0-2; provided that when G₂ is N, then p₂ is not 0; q₂ is 0 or 1; z₂ is 0-4; Sp² is a bond or a C1-C6 alkylidene linker, wherein up to two methylene units are optionally and independently replaced by —O—, —S—, —CO—, —CS—, —COCO—, —CONR′—, —CONR′NR′—, —CO₂—, —OCO—, —NR′CO₂—, —NR′CONR′—, —OCONR′—, —NR′NR′, —NR′NR′CO—, —NR′CO—, —SO, —SO₂—, —NR′—, —SO₂NR′—, NR′SO₂—, or —NR′SO₂NR′—; ring B² is a 4-8 membered, saturated, partially unsaturated, or aromatic, monocyclic heterocyclic ring having 1-4 heteroatoms selected from O, S, or N, wherein ring B² is optionally substituted with w₂ independent occurrences of —R¹², wherein w₂ is 0-4; wherein, in ring (C) or ring (D): G₃ is —N—, —CH—NH—, or —CH—CH₂—NH—; each of m₃ and n₃ is independently 0-3, provided that m₃+n₃ is 2-6; p₃ is 0-2; z₃ is 0-4; each R^(XX) is hydrogen, C₁₋₆ aliphatic group, a 3-8-membered saturated, partially unsaturated, or fully unsaturated monocyclic ring having 0-3 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, or an 8-12 membered saturated, partially unsaturated, or fully unsaturated bicyclic ring system having 0-5 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur; wherein R^(XX) is optionally substituted with w₃ independent occurrences of —R¹³, wherein w₃ is 0-3; provided that both R^(XX) are not simultaneously hydrogen; R^(YY) is hydrogen, —COR′, —CO₂R′, —CON(R′)₂, —SOR′, —SO₂R′, —SO₂N(R′)₂, —COCOR′, —COCH₂COR′, —P(O)(OR′)₂, —P(O)₂OR′, or —PO(R′); wherein, in ring (E): each of m₄ and n₄ is independently 0-3, provided that m₄+n₄ is 2-6; p₄ is 1-2; z₄ is 0-4; R^(YZ) is C₁-C₆ aliphatic group, optionally substituted with w₄ independent occurrences of —R¹⁴, wherein w₄ is 0-3; x and y, each, is independently 0-4; each occurrence of R¹¹, R¹², R¹³, R¹⁴, R³, R⁴, and R⁵ is independently Q-R^(X); wherein Q is a bond or is a C₁-C₆ alkylidene chain wherein up to two non-adjacent methylene units of Q are optionally and independently replaced by —NR—, —S—, —O—, —CS—, —CO₂—, —OCO—, —CO—, —COCO—, —CONR—, —NRCO—, —NRCO₂—, —SO₂NR—, —NRSO₂—, —CONRNR—, —NRCONR—, —OCONR—, —NRNR—, —NRSO₂NR—, —SO—, —SO₂—, —PO—, —PO₂—, —OP(O)(OR)—, or —POR—; and each occurrence of R^(X) is independently selected from —R′, halogen, ═O, ═NR′, —NO₂, —CN, —OR′, —SR′, —N(R′)₂, —NR′COR′, —NR′CON(R′)₂, —NR′CO₂R′, —COR′, —CO₂R′, —OCOR′, —CON(R′)₂, —OCON(R′)₂, —SOR′, —SO₂R′, —SO₂N(R)₂, —NR′SO₂R′, —NR′SO₂N(R′)₂, —COLOR′, —COCH₂COR′, —OP(O)(OR′)₂, —P(O)(OR′)₂, —OP(O)₂OR′, —P(O)₂OR′, —PO(R′)₂, or —OPO(R′)₂; and each occurrence of R is independently hydrogen or C₁₋₆ aliphatic group having up to three substituents; and each occurrence of R′ is independently hydrogen or C₁₋₆ aliphatic group, a 3-8-membered saturated, partially unsaturated, or fully unsaturated monocyclic ring having 0-3 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, or an 8-12 membered saturated, partially unsaturated, or fully unsaturated bicyclic ring system having 0-5 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, wherein R′ has up to four substituents; or R and R′, two occurrences of R, or two occurrences of R′, are taken together with the atom(s) to which they are bound to form an optionally substituted 3-12 membered saturated, partially unsaturated, or fully unsaturated monocyclic or bicyclic ring having 0-4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur.
 2. The compound according to claim 1, wherein x is 1 and R³ is present at the 6- or 7-position of the quinazoline ring.
 3. The compound according to claim 1, wherein x is 1 and R³ is present at the 7-position of the quinazoline ring.
 4. The compound according to claim 3, wherein R³ is selected from —Cl, —CH₃, —CH₂CH₃, —F, —CF₃, —OCF₃, —CONHCH₃, —CONHCH₂CH₃, —CONH(cyclopropyl), —OCH₃, —NH₂, —OCH₂CH₃, or —CN. 5-9. (canceled)
 10. The compound according to claim 1, wherein said compound has formula I-A:


11. (canceled)
 12. The compound according to claim 10, wherein each of m₁ and n₁ is
 2. 13. The compound according to claim 10, wherein ring B¹ is a 5-6 membered, saturated, monocyclic heterocyclic ring having 1-2 heteroatoms selected from O, S, or N, wherein ring B¹ is optionally substituted with w₁ independent occurrences of —R¹¹, wherein w₁ is 0-4. 14-15. (canceled)
 16. The compound according to claim 10, wherein: n₁ and m₁ each is 2; y is 0 or 1 and R⁵ is fluoro; x is 1 and R³ is Me at 7-position or fluoro at 6-position; z₁ is 0; Sp¹ is —O—CH₂—; w₁ is 0; and ring B¹ is tetrahydrofuran-3-yl, pyridine-3-yl, pyridine-4-yl, or tetrahydro[2H]-pyran-4-yl.
 17. The compound according to claim 1, wherein said compound has formula I-B:

18-22. (canceled)
 23. The compound according to claim 17, wherein ring B² is a 5-6 membered, saturated, monocyclic heterocyclic ring having 1-2 heteroatoms selected from O, S, or N, wherein ring B² is optionally substituted with w₂ independent occurrences of —R¹², wherein w₂ is 0-4.
 24. (canceled)
 25. The compound according to claim 17, wherein Sp² is a bond, O, or —O—CH₂—; p₂ is 1; R is hydrogen; and n₂ is 1 and m₂ is 2 or 3
 26. The compound according to claim 17, wherein said compound has formula I-B-i or formula I-B-ii:

wherein: m₂ is 2 or 3; and Sp² is —O— or —O—CH₂. 27-29. (canceled)
 30. The compound according to claim 1, wherein said compound has formula I-C or formula I-D:

31-37. (canceled)
 38. The compound according to claim 30, wherein said compound has formula I-C-i or formula I-D-i:

39-44. (canceled)
 45. The compound according to claim 30, wherein said compound has formula I-C-ii:

46-47. (canceled)
 48. The compound according to claim 1, wherein said compound has formula I-E:

49-58. (canceled)
 59. The compound according to claim 1, wherein said compound is selected from:


60. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound according to claim
 1. 61. A method of treating or lessening the severity of a disease, disorder, or condition selected from acute, chronic, neuropathic, or inflammatory pain, arthritis, migraine, cluster headaches, trigeminal neuralgia, herpetic neuralgia, general neuralgias, epilepsy or epilepsy conditions, neurodegenerative disorders, psychiatric disorders such as anxiety and depression, myotonia, arrhythmia, movement disorders, neuroendocrine disorders, ataxia, multiple sclerosis, irritable bowel syndrome, incontinence, visceral pain, osteoarthritis pain, postherpetic neuralgia, diabetic neuropathy, radicular pain, sciatica, back pain, head or neck pain, severe or intractable pain, nociceptive pain, breakthrough pain, postsurgical pain, or cancer pain comprising the step of administering to said patient an effective amount of a composition according to claim
 60. 62. (canceled)
 63. The method of claim 61, wherein the disease, condition, or disorder is acute, chronic, neuropathic, or inflammatory pain. 64-65. (canceled) 